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AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON APRIL 29, 1999
REGISTRATION NO. 333-
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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
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FORM S-4
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
------------------------
FIFTH THIRD BANCORP
(EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)
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OHIO 6711 31-0854434
(State or other jurisdiction of Primary Standard Industrial (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization) Classification Code Number) Identification No.)
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FIFTH THIRD CENTER, CINCINNATI, OHIO 45263
(513) 579-5300
(Address, including Zip Code, and telephone number, including area code, of
registrant's principal executive offices)
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PAUL L. REYNOLDS, ESQ.
FIFTH THIRD BANCORP
38 FOUNTAIN SQUARE PLAZA
CINCINNATI, OHIO 45263
(513) 579-5300
(513) 744-6757 (FAX)
(Name, address, including Zip Code and telephone number, including area code, of
agent for service)
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Copies of Communications to:
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RICHARD G. SCHMALZL, ESQ. FRANCIS X. GRADY, ESQ.
H. SAMUEL LIND, ESQ. GRADY & ASSOCIATES
GRAYDON, HEAD & RITCHEY 20800 CENTER RIDGE ROAD
1900 FIFTH THIRD CENTER SUITE 116
511 WALNUT STREET ROCKY RIVER, OHIO 44116-4306
CINCINNATI, OHIO 45202 (440) 356-7255
(513) 621-6464 (440) 356-7254 (FAX)
(513) 651-3836 (FAX)
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APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE OF THE SECURITIES TO THE
PUBLIC: As soon as practicable after this registration statement becomes
effective and upon the effective time of the merger of Emerald Financial Corp.
with and into the Registrant pursuant to the affiliation agreement described in
the enclosed proxy statement/prospectus included as Part I of this registration
statement.
If the securities being registered on this Form are being offered in
connection with the formation of a holding company and there is compliance with
General Instruction G, check the following box. [ ]
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
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PROPOSED MAXIMUM PROPOSED MAXIMUM
TITLE OF EACH CLASS AMOUNT TO BE OFFERING PRICE AGGREGATE OFFERING AMOUNT OF
OF SECURITIES TO BE REGISTERED REGISTERED(1) PER UNIT(2) PRICE(2) REGISTRATION FEE
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Common Stock, no par value.... 3,780,000 shares N/A $228,999,260 $63,661.79
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(1) Represents the maximum number of shares of Registrant's common stock that
the Registrant expects would be issuable to shareholders of Emerald
Financial Corp., a unitary savings and loan holding company owning all of
the outstanding common stock of The Strongsville Savings Bank, pursuant to
the affiliation agreement, including shares issuable upon the exercise of
outstanding stock options.
(2) Estimated solely for the purpose of computing the registration fee based
upon the market value of the 11,449,963 shares of Emerald common stock to be
exchanged in the merger based upon the per share price of $20.00, the
average of the high and low prices of the common stock, no par value per
share, of Emerald Financial Corp. as reported on the Nasdaq National Market
on April 23, 1999, in accordance with Rule 457(f)(1) of the General Rules
and Regulations under the Securities Act of 1933.
------------------------
THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR
DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT SHALL
FILE A FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS REGISTRATION
STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(A) OF
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR UNTIL THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT
SHALL BECOME EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION,
ACTING PURSUANT TO SAID SECTION 8(A), MAY DETERMINE.
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SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED APRIL 29, 1999
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PROXY STATEMENT FOR EMERALD FINANCIAL CORP. ANNUAL MEETING
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PROSPECTUS OF FIFTH THIRD BANCORP
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The boards of directors of Emerald Financial Corp. and Fifth Third Bancorp
have agreed that Fifth Third will acquire Emerald in a merger. If the merger is
approved by the shareholders of Emerald and all other closing conditions are
satisfied, each outstanding share of Emerald common stock will be exchanged for
.30 of a share of Fifth Third common stock. In connection with the merger,
Emerald's wholly owned subsidiary, The Strongsville Savings Bank, an
Ohio-chartered savings association, will be acquired by Fifth Third Bank,
Northwestern Ohio, N.A. The board of directors of Emerald believes that the
merger is in Emerald's and your best interests.
The merger cannot be completed unless the shareholders of Emerald approve
the merger. Emerald has scheduled its 1999 annual meeting for its shareholders
to vote on the merger and elect three directors. The date, time and place of the
annual meeting are as follows:
10:30 a.m., Eastern Daylight Savings Time
July 8, 1999
Quality Catering Party Center
9200 Pearl Road
Strongsville, Ohio
The Emerald board of directors has also called a special meeting for its
shareholders to vote upon the control share acquisition by Fifth Third of more
than a majority of the voting power of Emerald. The special meeting will be held
after the annual meeting at 11:30 a.m., Eastern Daylight Savings Time, on July
8, 1999, at the Quality Catering Party Center, 9200 Pearl Road, Strongsville,
Ohio.
Whether or not you plan to attend the annual or special meeting, please
take the time to vote by completing and mailing the enclosed proxy cards to us.
YOUR VOTE IS VERY IMPORTANT.
Fifth Third common stock is traded on the Nasdaq National Market under the
symbol "FITB."
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FOR A DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN SIGNIFICANT CONSIDERATIONS IN CONNECTION WITH
THE MERGER AND RELATED MATTERS DESCRIBED IN THIS DOCUMENT, SEE "RISK FACTORS"
BEGINNING ON PAGE 9.
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NEITHER THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR ANY STATE SECURITIES
COMMISSION HAS APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED OF THESE SECURITIES OR PASSED UPON THE
ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS DOCUMENT. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A
CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
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THE SHARES OF FIFTH THIRD COMMON STOCK ARE NOT SAVINGS ACCOUNTS, DEPOSITS
OR OTHER OBLIGATIONS OF ANY BANK OR SAVINGS ASSOCIATION AND ARE NOT INSURED BY
THE FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION OR ANY OTHER GOVERNMENTAL AGENCY.
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The information in this document is not complete and may be changed. We may
not issue these securities until the registration statement filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This document is not an offer
to sell these securities and is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities
in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.
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The date of this proxy statement/prospectus is , 1999
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
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QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE MERGER...................... 1
SUMMARY..................................................... 2
RISK FACTORS................................................ 9
THE ANNUAL AND SPECIAL MEETINGS............................. 12
Purpose of the Meetings................................... 12
Voting and Revocability of Proxies........................ 12
Votes Required............................................ 13
Solicitation of Proxies................................... 14
PROPOSAL -- MERGER OF EMERALD INTO FIFTH THIRD.............. 14
Structure of the Merger................................... 14
Corporate Governance...................................... 15
Merger Consideration...................................... 15
No Fractional Shares...................................... 15
Effective Time of the Merger.............................. 15
Exchange of Certificates.................................. 16
Background and Reasons for the Merger..................... 16
Opinion of Financial Advisor to Emerald................... 19
Federal Income Tax Consequences........................... 27
Accounting Treatment...................................... 28
Resale of Fifth Third Common Stock by Affiliates.......... 28
Dissenters' Rights of Appraisal........................... 29
TERMS OF THE AFFILIATION AGREEMENT.......................... 31
Representations and Warranties............................ 31
Conduct Pending Merger.................................... 31
Conditions to Closing..................................... 32
Termination; Amendment; Waiver............................ 33
Interests of Certain Persons in the Merger................ 34
Effect on Emerald Employees............................... 37
FIFTH THIRD BANCORP......................................... 37
Description of Business................................... 37
Recent Developments....................................... 38
Additional Information.................................... 39
EMERALD FINANCIAL CORP...................................... 39
Description of Business................................... 39
Additional Information.................................... 40
SELECTED HISTORICAL FINANCIAL DATA OF FIFTH THIRD........... 41
SELECTED HISTORICAL FINANCIAL DATA OF EMERALD............... 43
DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK AND COMPARATIVE RIGHTS OF
SHAREHOLDERS.............................................. 45
Voting Rights............................................. 45
Dividends................................................. 46
Preemptive Rights......................................... 47
Rights Upon Liquidation................................... 47
Indemnification and Personal Liability of Directors and
Officers............................................... 47
Shareholders' Meetings; Quorum............................ 47
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Removal of Directors...................................... 47
Amendment to Articles of Incorporation and Code of
Regulations............................................ 48
Vacancies on the Board of Directors....................... 49
Advance Notice Requirements for Nominations of Directors
and Presentation of New Business at Meetings of
Shareholders........................................... 49
Stock Repurchases......................................... 49
Subscription, Conversion, Redemption Rights; Stock
Nonassessable.......................................... 49
Change-of-Control Provisions.............................. 50
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND
MANAGEMENT OF EMERALD..................................... 51
ELECTION OF EMERALD DIRECTORS............................... 53
Committees of the Board of Directors and Board
Attendance............................................. 54
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider
Participation.......................................... 54
Directors' Compensation................................... 55
Management of Emerald..................................... 56
Executive Compensation.................................... 57
Change-in-Control Arrangements............................ 61
Board Report on Executive Compensation.................... 62
Compensation of Chief Executive Officer................... 62
Performance Graph......................................... 63
Transactions with Related Persons......................... 64
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance... 64
Shareholder Proposals..................................... 64
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS........................................ 65
EFFECT OF GOVERNMENTAL POLICIES............................. 65
REGULATION OF FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS........................ 65
Holding Company Regulation................................ 66
Capital Requirements...................................... 67
Regulation of Banks....................................... 69
Regulation of Savings Associations........................ 69
LEGAL MATTERS............................................... 73
EXPERTS..................................................... 74
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION......................... 74
ANNEXES:
</TABLE>
Annex A: Affiliation Agreement dated as of February 27, 1999 by and between
Fifth Third Bancorp and Emerald Financial Corp. (excluding
exhibits)
Annex B: Form of Fairness Opinion of McDonald Investments Inc.
Annex C: Section 1701.85 of the Ohio Revised Code
Annex D: Acquiring Person Statement
Annex E: Shareholder Support Agreement
Annex F: Summary 1998 Annual Report of Emerald Financial Corp.
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QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE MERGER
Q: WHY DO EMERALD AND FIFTH THIRD WANT TO MERGE?
A: Emerald believes that shareholder value will be maximized and that its
customers will benefit through an affiliation with Fifth Third. Fifth Third
wants to better serve its customers in Emerald's service areas and to expand
Fifth Third's presence in those markets.
Q: HOW WILL I BENEFIT?
A: The Emerald board of directors believes that you will benefit by becoming a
shareholder of a bank holding company with a strong financial performance
record like Fifth Third's. The Emerald board also believes that you will
benefit from the opportunity for potential future appreciation of Fifth
Third common stock.
Q: WHAT WILL I RECEIVE FOR MY EMERALD SHARES?
A: You will receive .30 of a share of Fifth Third common stock for each share
of Emerald common stock that you own at the effective time of the merger.
Fifth Third will not issue any fractional shares. Instead, you will receive
cash for any fractional share owed to you in an amount based on the last
trading price of Fifth Third common stock on the effective date of the
merger. As of , 1999, the value of .30 of a share of Fifth Third
common stock was $ .
Q: WHEN DO YOU EXPECT THE MERGER TO BE COMPLETED?
A: We hope to complete the merger as soon as possible after the shareholders'
meetings, assuming the required shareholder approval is obtained. The merger
is also subject to the approval of federal and state banking regulatory
authorities and the satisfaction of other closing conditions.
Q: WHEN AND WHERE WILL THE ANNUAL AND SPECIAL MEETINGS TAKE PLACE?
A: The annual meeting will be held at 10:30 a.m., Eastern Daylight Savings
Time, on July 8, 1999, at Quality Catering Party Center, 9200 Pearl Road,
Strongsville, Ohio. The special meeting will be held after the annual
meeting at 11:30 a.m., Eastern Daylight Savings Time, on July 8, 1999, at
Quality Catering Party Center, 9200 Pearl Road, Strongsville, Ohio.
Q: WHAT DO I NEED TO DO NOW?
A: After reviewing this document, indicate on your proxy cards how you want to
vote, sign them and mail them in the enclosed return envelopes as soon as
possible. The BLUE proxy card is for the annual meeting and the WHITE proxy
card is for the special meeting. Please return both proxy cards.
Q: HOW WILL MY SHARES BE VOTED IF I RETURN BLANK PROXY CARDS?
A: If you sign and send in your proxy cards and do not indicate how you want to
vote, your proxies on the BLUE proxy card will be counted as a vote in favor
of the merger and for the election of the nominees for director named in
this document at the annual meeting and your proxy on the WHITE proxy card
will be voted in favor of the control share acquisition by Fifth Third at
the special meeting.
Q: WHAT WILL BE THE EFFECT IF I DO NOT VOTE?
A: If you do not return your BLUE proxy card or otherwise vote at the annual
meeting, it will have the same effect as if you voted against the merger at
the annual meeting, but will have no effect on the election of directors.
Failure to return your WHITE proxy card or otherwise vote at the special
meeting will not affect the approval of the control share acquisition by
Fifth Third.
Q: CAN I VOTE MY SHARES IN PERSON?
A: Yes. You may attend both the annual and special meeting and vote your shares
in person, rather than signing and mailing your proxy cards.
Q: CAN I REVOKE MY PROXIES AND CHANGE MY MIND?
A: Yes. You may take back your proxies up to and including the day of the
meetings by following the directions on page 12. Then you can either change
your vote or attend the meetings and vote in person.
Q: IF MY SHARES ARE HELD IN "STREET NAME" BY MY BROKER, WILL MY BROKER VOTE MY
SHARES FOR ME?
A: Your broker will vote your shares only if you instruct your broker on how to
vote. Your broker will send you directions on how you can instruct your
broker to vote. Your broker cannot vote your shares without instructions
from you.
Q: SHOULD I SEND IN MY STOCK CERTIFICATES NOW?
A: No. After the merger is completed, we will send you written instructions for
exchanging your stock certificates.
Q: WHO CAN ANSWER MY QUESTIONS ABOUT THE MERGER?
A: If you have more questions about the merger, please call John F. Ziegler,
Chief Financial Officer of Emerald, at (440) 238-7311.
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SUMMARY
This summary highlights selected information from this document and may not
contain all of the information that is important to you. To understand the
merger fully and for a more complete description of the legal terms of the
merger, you should read carefully this entire document, including the annexes,
and the other documents we have provided or referred you to. For more
information about Fifth Third and Emerald, see "Where You Can Find More
Information" (page 74).
THE COMPANIES
FIFTH THIRD BANCORP
38 FOUNTAIN SQUARE PLAZA
CINCINNATI, OHIO 45236
(513) 579-5300
Fifth Third is a registered multi-bank holding company, incorporated under
Ohio law, which conducts its principal activities through its banking and
non-banking subsidiaries. Fifth Third's ten subsidiary depository institutions
operate a general banking business from 471 offices located throughout Ohio,
Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Florida and Arizona. At March 31, 1999, on a
consolidated basis, Fifth Third had assets of approximately $ billion,
deposits of approximately $ billion, and shareholders' equity of
approximately $ billion. Fifth Third common stock is traded on the Nasdaq
National Market under the symbol "FITB."
EMERALD FINANCIAL CORP.
14092 PEARL ROAD
STRONGSVILLE, OHIO 44136
(440) 238-7311
Emerald Financial Corp. is a unitary savings and loan holding company
incorporated under Ohio law. Emerald owns all of the stock of The Strongsville
Savings Bank which is headquartered in Strongsville, Ohio. The Strongsville
Savings Bank operates its main office and 14 community financial centers located
within Cuyahoga, Medina and Lorain counties of northeastern Ohio. At March 31,
1999, Emerald, on a consolidated basis, had total assets of approximately
$ million, total deposits of approximately $ million and
shareholders' equity of approximately $ million. Emerald common stock
is traded on the Nasdaq National Market under the symbol "EMLD."
THE MERGER
Pursuant to the affiliation agreement between Emerald and Fifth Third dated as
of February 27, 1999, at the effective time of the merger, Emerald will merge
with and into Fifth Third. Fifth Third will issue shares of its common stock to
the existing shareholders of Emerald in exchange for their shares of Emerald
common stock. In a simultaneous transaction, The Strongsville Savings Bank will
merge with and into Fifth Third Bank, Northwestern Ohio, N.A.
EMERALD SHAREHOLDERS WILL RECEIVE
FIFTH THIRD STOCK IN THE MERGER
If the merger is approved, you will have the right to receive .30 of a share
of Fifth Third common stock for each share of Emerald common stock that you own
as of the effective time of the merger, assuming you do not exercise dissenters'
rights. Based on the closing price per share of Fifth Third common stock on the
Nasdaq National Market on , 1999, the value of .30 of a share of
Fifth Third common stock was $ .
In the event of any stock dividends, reclassifications, recapitalization,
split-ups, exchanges of shares, distributions or combinations or subdivisions of
Fifth Third common stock before the merger is completed, the number of shares of
Fifth Third common stock which you have the right to receive will be adjusted so
as to give you the economic benefit of such event or action.
NO FRACTIONAL SHARES WILL BE ISSUED
Fifth Third will not issue any fractional shares. Instead, you will receive
cash for any fractional share of Fifth Third common stock owed to you in an
amount based on the last trading price of Fifth Third common stock on the date
on which the merger occurs.
TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE MERGER
If you do not dissent to the merger, the exchange of shares will be tax-free
to you for federal income tax purposes, except for taxes payable on any cash you
receive for fractional shares. If you properly dissent to the merger, you will
generally be treated as having received cash in redemption for your
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shares and will be subject to taxes payable on the cash payment. The material
federal income tax consequences are set out in greater detail on page 26.
Tax matters are very complicated and the tax consequences of the merger to you
will depend on the facts of your own situation. You are urged to consult your
tax advisor for a full understanding of the tax consequences of the merger to
you.
REASONS FOR THE MERGER
The Emerald board believes that in the rapidly changing environment of the
banking industry, Emerald's long-term goal of enhancing shareholder value will
be reached by merging with Fifth Third. In addition, the Emerald board believes
that the customers and community served by Emerald will benefit from the merger.
You can find a more detailed discussion of the background to the affiliation
agreement and Emerald's and Fifth Third's reasons for the merger in this
document under "Proposal-Merger of Emerald into Fifth Third- Background and
Reasons for the Merger," beginning on page 16.
OPINION OF FINANCIAL ADVISOR
In deciding to approve the merger, the Emerald board considered an opinion
from McDonald Investments Inc., the financial advisor to Emerald, that the
exchange ratio is fair from a financial viewpoint. This opinion has been updated
at the date of this document and is attached as Annex B to this document. We
encourage you to read and consider this opinion.
RECOMMENDATION TO EMERALD SHAREHOLDERS
The Emerald board believes that the merger is in your best interests and
unanimously recommends that you vote FOR approval of the affiliation agreement
and FOR the control share acquisition by Fifth Third of more than a majority of
the voting power of Emerald.
THE ANNUAL AND SPECIAL MEETINGS
The annual meeting of the Emerald shareholders will be held at 10:30 a.m.,
Eastern Daylight Savings Time, on July 8, 1999, at Quality Catering Party
Center, 9200 Pearl Road, Strongsville, Ohio. Holders of Emerald common stock
outstanding on May 14, 1999 are entitled to vote at the annual meeting and will
be asked to consider and vote upon:
- the approval of the affiliation agreement;
- the election of three directors for a three year term or until the merger is
completed; and
- any other matters as are properly presented at the annual meeting.
None of these matters are dependent upon the adoption of any other matter. As
of the date of this document, the Emerald board does not know of any other
matters that will be presented at the annual meeting.
Because the merger will also constitute a "control share acquisition" by Fifth
Third under Ohio law, this action must be approved by the Emerald shareholders
at a special meeting. Therefore, a separate special meeting will be held after
the annual meeting at 11:30 a.m., Eastern Daylight Savings Time, on July 8,
1999, at Quality Catering Party Center, 9200 Pearl Road, Strongsville, Ohio.
Holders of Emerald common stock outstanding on May 14, 1999 are entitled to vote
at the special meeting and will be asked to consider and vote upon the control
share acquisition by Fifth Third of more than a majority of the voting power of
Emerald in connection with the merger. The merger can not be completed unless
the control share acquisition is approved at the special meeting.
VOTES REQUIRED
At the annual meeting, the affiliation agreement must be approved by the
affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the shares of Emerald common stock
outstanding at the close of business on May 14, 1999.
Approval of the affiliation agreement will also authorize the Emerald board to
exercise its discretion on whether to proceed with the merger in the event
Emerald has the right to terminate the affiliation agreement. This determination
may be made without notice to, or the resolicitation of proxies from, the
Emerald shareholders.
A plurality of the votes cast by holders of Emerald common stock represented
in person or by proxy at the annual meeting is sufficient to elect directors of
Emerald.
At the special meeting, the control share acquisition by Fifth Third of more
than a majority of the voting power of Emerald must be approved by (1) a
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majority of the shares of Emerald common stock represented at the special
meeting, and (2) a majority of the shares of Emerald common stock represented at
the special meeting which are not deemed to be "interested shares" under the
Ohio Control Share Acquisition Act.
OWNERSHIP OF FIFTH THIRD FOLLOWING THE MERGER
Based on the number of shares of Fifth Third and Emerald common stock
outstanding on the record date, Fifth Third will issue approximately 3,430,000
shares of its common stock to Emerald shareholders in the merger. This will
constitute approximately 1.3% of the outstanding stock of Fifth Third
immediately after the merger.
CONDITIONS TO THE MERGER
Fifth Third and Emerald will complete the merger only if certain conditions
are satisfied. Some of the conditions are listed below:
- the approval of the affiliation agreement by Emerald shareholders;
- the receipt of certain regulatory approvals under federal and state banking
laws and expiration of any waiting periods; and
- the receipt by Fifth Third of non-competition agreements executed by the
directors of Emerald.
Some of the conditions to the merger may be waived by the company entitled to
assert the condition.
RIGHT TO TERMINATE
The boards of directors of Fifth Third and Emerald may jointly agree in
writing to terminate the affiliation agreement without completing the merger. In
addition, either company can individually terminate the affiliation agreement
if:
- the other party materially breaches any of the representations or warranties
it made or fails to comply with any of its obligations under the affiliation
agreement;
- the business, assets or financial condition of the other party materially
and adversely changes;
- the merger is not completed by October 31, 1999; or
- Emerald's shareholders do not approve the affiliation agreement.
Additionally, Emerald may terminate the affiliation agreement if the average
closing price of Fifth Third common stock for the 30 trading days ending five
trading days before the effective time of the merger is less than $45.00 per
share and Fifth Third may terminate if the average closing price over the same
period is over $85.00 per share.
INTERESTS OF CERTAIN PERSONS IN THE MERGER
When considering the Emerald board's recommendation that Emerald's
shareholders vote in favor of the merger, you should be aware that certain
Emerald directors and officers may have interests in the merger that are
different from, or in addition to, yours.
EMERALD EMPLOYMENT AND SEVERANCE AGREEMENT PAYMENTS
Fifth Third has agreed to honor the change-in-control provisions of the
employment agreements with Thomas P. Perciak, Emerald's President and Chief
Executive Officer, and John F. Ziegler, Emerald's Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer and to pay these amounts to them at the effective time
of the merger, except to the extent any such payment would constitute an "excess
parachute payment" under sec.280(G) of the Internal Revenue Code. Accordingly,
Mr. Perciak expects to receive a change-in-control payment of approximately $
under his employment agreement, and Mr. Ziegler expects to receive a
change-in-control payment of approximately $235,000 under his employment
agreement.
Eight officers of The Strongsville Savings Bank, three of whom are also
officers of Emerald, have severance agreements. Each severance agreement
provides that in the event of the involuntary termination of the executive
(other than for cause) or the executive's voluntary termination for good reason
within six months after a change in control, the executive would receive a lump
sum payment. Fifth Third has agreed to honor the change-in-control provisions of
these severance agreements and to pay them at the effective time of the merger,
except to the extent any such payment would constitute an "excess parachute
payment" under sec.280(G) of the Internal Revenue Code. The aggregate amount of
all severance payments under these agreements will be approximately $657,400.
William J. Harr, Jr., Emerald's Vice President, will receive approximately
$115,500, Paula M. Dewey,
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Emerald's Secretary and Vice President, will receive approximately $90,700, and
Cynthia W. Gannon, Emerald's Treasurer and Vice President, will receive
approximately $82,300.
RETENTION BONUSES
At the effective time of the merger, Emerald will pay retention bonuses to
certain employees of The Strongsville Savings Bank, totaling $177,615.
Additionally, Mr. Perciak will receive a retention bonus of $115,000 from Fifth
Third.
EXECUTIVE SUPPLEMENTAL BENEFIT PLANS
Five of Emerald's officers and five officers of The Strongsville Savings Bank
have Executive Supplemental Benefit Plans which provide for payments upon
retirement, death or disability. These agreements also provide for an
acceleration of these benefits on a change-in-control of Emerald, which would be
paid if the officer is terminated without cause or leaves employment for good
reason after the change-in-control.
In the affiliation agreement, Fifth Third agreed that it would assume the
obligations of Emerald and The Strongsville Savings Bank under Mr. Perciak's and
Mr. Ziegler's Executive Supplemental Benefit Plans. Mr. Perciak and Mr. Ziegler,
however, have agreed that the merger will not cause the acceleration of the
benefits payable to them under these plans.
The merger will accelerate the benefits payable to the other eight officers
who have Executive Supplemental Benefit Plans. If payments are made to these
individuals in 1999, they would total approximately $144,000, including $18,701
to Mr. Harr, $6,637 to Mrs. Gannon and $59,729 to Mrs. Dewey.
STOCK OPTIONS
Upon the approval of the affiliation agreement by the Emerald shareholders,
all unvested outstanding options to purchase Emerald common stock will become
immediately exercisable, including 67,500 options held by Mr. Perciak, 67,500
held by Mr. Ziegler and 12,500 held by Mr. Harr. At the effective time of the
merger, all outstanding options to purchase Emerald common stock will be
converted into options to purchase Fifth Third common stock.
FIFTH THIRD EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS
In the affiliation agreement, Fifth Third agreed to enter into employment
agreements with Thomas P. Perciak and John F. Ziegler. Mr. Perciak will be
employed as an executive vice president of Fifth Third Bank, Northwestern Ohio,
N.A. with a base salary of $366,700 in the first year, $383,800 in the second
year and $401,500 in the third year. Mr. Ziegler will be employed as a vice
president of Fifth Third Bank, Northwestern Ohio, N.A. with a base salary of
$213,800 in the first year, $224,200 in the second year and $237,500 in the
third year. Messrs. Perciak and Ziegler are also eligible to receive annual
bonuses of up to 65% of base salary.
BOARD MEMBER COMPENSATION
Mr. Perciak, Kenneth J. Piechowski, an Emerald board member, and Mike
Kalinich, Sr., Chairman of the Emerald board, will be appointed to the Cleveland
board of directors of Fifth Third Bank, Northwestern Ohio, N.A. Messrs.
Piechowski and Kalinich, as non-employee directors, will receive the same
remuneration as other non-employee directors for their service, which generally
includes fees for meeting attendance and stock options.
INDEMNIFICATION AND LIABILITY INSURANCE
Fifth Third will assume all provisions for indemnification and limitation of
liability now existing in favor of the directors and officers of Emerald and its
subsidiaries. Fifth Third also will purchase and keep in effect for a three-year
period, a policy of directors' and officers' liability insurance having
liability limits and providing coverage for acts or omissions of the type
currently covered by Emerald's existing directors' and officers' liability
insurance for acts or omissions occurring at or prior to the merger as long as
such coverage may be obtained on a commercially reasonable basis.
EFFECT ON EMERALD EMPLOYEES
Fifth Third will consider employing as many of the employees of Emerald and
The Strongsville Savings Bank who desire employment within the Fifth Third
holding company system to the extent of available positions and consistent with
Fifth Third's standard staffing levels and personnel policies.
Each employee of Emerald and The Strongsville Savings Bank who becomes an
employee of Fifth Third or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates at or
immediately subsequent to the merger, including executive officers of Emerald,
will be entitled to participate in all employee benefit plans sponsored
5
<PAGE> 10
by Fifth Third or its subsidiaries or affiliates on the same terms and to the
same extent as similarly situated employees of Fifth Third.
The affiliation agreement also provides for the payment on termination of
severance amounts to employees of Emerald and The Strongsville Savings Bank who
do not have severance or employment agreements.
DISSENTERS' RIGHTS OF APPRAISAL
If you (1) do not vote to approve the affiliation agreement and (2) deliver a
written demand for payment of the fair cash value of your shares of Emerald
common stock not later than ten days after the annual meeting, you shall be
entitled, if and when the merger is completed, to receive the fair cash value of
your shares of Emerald common stock. Your right to receive the fair cash value
of your Emerald shares, however, is contingent upon your strict compliance with
the procedures set forth in Ohio Revised Code Section 1701.85, a copy of which
is attached to this document as Annex C. If you wish to submit a written demand
for payment of the fair cash value of your shares of Emerald common stock, you
should deliver your demand no later than July 18, 1999 to Paula M. Dewey,
Corporate Secretary, Emerald Financial Corp., 14092 Pearl Road, Strongsville,
Ohio 44136.
ACCOUNTING
Fifth Third expects the merger to qualify for pooling-of-interests accounting
treatment.
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
Fifth Third's strategy for growth includes strengthening its presence in core
markets, expanding into contiguous markets and broadening its product offerings.
Consistent with this strategy, in addition to the merger, Fifth Third recently
acquired Ashland Bankshares, Inc., a bank holding company headquartered in
Ashland, Kentucky and Enterprise Federal Bancorp, Inc., a savings and loan
holding company headquartered in West Chester, Ohio. In addition, Fifth Third's
pending acquisition of South Florida Bank Holding Corporation, a bank holding
corporation headquartered in Fort Meyers, Florida is expected to be completed
during the second quarter of 1999, before the completion of the merger with
Emerald.
COMPARATIVE MARKET PRICES AND DIVIDENDS
Fifth Third common stock and Emerald common stock are traded on the Nasdaq
National Market under the symbols "FITB" and "EMLD", respectively. On February
26, 1999, the business day immediately preceding the public announcement of the
execution of the affiliation agreement setting forth the terms of the merger,
and on , 1999, the most recent practicable date prior to the
printing of this document, the market prices of Fifth Third common stock and
Emerald common stock and the equivalent price per share of Emerald common stock
giving effect to the merger were as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FEBRUARY 26, 1999 , 1999
----------------- ------
<S> <C> <C>
Fifth Third
Common Stock.............................................. $66.06 $
(Closing sales price)
Emerald
Common Stock.............................................. $14.50 $
(Closing sales price)
Equivalent Price Per Share of Emerald Common Stock.......... $19.82 $
</TABLE>
6
<PAGE> 11
The following table sets forth (in per share amounts), for the quarterly
periods indicated, the high and low sales prices and the dividends declared
during each quarterly period:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FIFTH THIRD COMMON STOCK EMERALD COMMON STOCK
----------------------------- ---------------------------
DIVIDENDS DIVIDENDS
HIGH LOW DECLARED HIGH LOW DECLARED
------ ------ --------- ----- ----- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
1996:
First Calendar Quarter.............. $26.44 $19.33 $0.116 $5.00 $4.63 $0.028
Second Calendar Quarter............. 25.78 22.00 0.116 5.44 4.88 0.030
Third Calendar Quarter.............. 25.94 22.11 0.129 5.63 5.13 0.030
Fourth Calendar Quarter............. 33.00 25.56 0.129 5.63 5.25 0.030
1997:
First Calendar Quarter.............. 39.78 27.00 0.129 6.13 5.31 0.030
Second Calendar Quarter............. 38.06 30.94 0.147 7.50 5.69 0.030
Third Calendar Quarter.............. 44.33 36.33 0.147 8.13 6.63 0.030
Fourth Calendar Quarter............. 55.67 41.08 0.147 11.06 7.88 0.030
1998:
First Calendar Quarter.............. 58.83 49.50 0.170 12.38 10.25 0.035
Second Calendar Quarter............. 63.13 47.50 0.170 16.25 10.63 0.035
Third Calendar Quarter.............. 67.25 49.25 0.170 14.00 10.00 0.085
Fourth Calendar Quarter............. 74.13 50.31 0.200 11.88 9.75 0.040
1999:
First Calendar Quarter.............. 75.44 62.38 0.200 21.19 10.25 0.050
Second Calendar Quarter
(through May , 1999)............
</TABLE>
COMPARATIVE PER SHARE DATA
The following table sets forth certain per share information for both Fifth
Third and Emerald at the dates indicated and for the periods then ended. The
equivalent values of this information are based on the exchange ratio of .30 of
a share of Fifth Third common stock for each share of Emerald common stock.
Neither Emerald nor Fifth Third can give any assurances that the following table
will accurately reflect figures and values applicable at the date of completion
of the merger.
7
<PAGE> 12
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EQUIVALENT SHARES
BASIS -- .30
SHARES OF
FIFTH THIRD
FIFTH THIRD EMERALD COMMON STOCK
-------------------------------------- ---------------- ------------------
HISTORICAL PRO FORMA(1) HISTORICAL
----------------- ----------------- ----------------
BASIC DILUTED BASIC DILUTED BASIC DILUTED BASIC DILUTED
------ ------- ------ ------- ----- ------- ------ --------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
EARNINGS PER SHARE
Three Months Ended
March 31, 1999: $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $
Twelve months ended
December 31:
1998................. $ 1.80 $1.76 $ 1.80 $1.76 $0.76 $0.72 $0.54 $0.53
1997................. $ 1.76 $1.73 $ 1.76 $1.73 $0.61 $0.59 $0.53 $0.52
1996................. $ 1.45 $1.42 $ 1.45 $1.42 $0.35 $0.35 $0.44 $0.43
DIVIDENDS DECLARED
PER SHARE
Three Months Ended
March 31, 1999: $ -- $ -- $ -- $ --
Twelve Months Ended
December 31:
1998................. $0.710 -- $0.710 -- $0.20 -- $0.21 --
1997................. $0.569 -- $0.569 -- $0.12 -- $0.17 --
1996................. $0.489 -- $0.489 -- $0.12 -- $0.15 --
BOOK VALUE PER SHARE
At March 31, 1999: $ -- $ -- $ -- $ --
At December 31,
1998:.............. $11.91 -- $11.96 -- $5.33 -- $3.57 --
</TABLE>
- ---------------
(1) Does not include the impact of Fifth Third's recent acquisitions of Ashland
Bankshares, Inc. or Enterprise Federal Bancorp, Inc. or Fifth Third's
pending acquisition of South Florida Bank Holding Corporation
8
<PAGE> 13
RISK FACTORS
In making your determination as to how to vote on the merger, you should
consider the following factors:
RISKS RELATING TO THE MERGER
THE EXCHANGE RATIO IS FIXED AND WILL NOT BE ADJUSTED TO REFLECT ANY CHANGES IN
STOCK VALUE PRIOR TO THE EFFECTIVE TIME OF THE MERGER.
The precise value of the merger consideration to be paid to Emerald's
shareholders will not be known at the time of the annual and special meetings.
The affiliation agreement provides that .30 of a share of Fifth Third common
stock will be issued in the merger in exchange for each share of Emerald common
stock. This exchange ratio is fixed and will not be adjusted to reflect any
changes in the value of either Emerald or Fifth Third common stock between the
date of the affiliation agreement and the effective time of the merger. In
addition, the value of Fifth Third common stock will fluctuate prior to the
effective time of the merger and may be higher or lower than on the date of the
affiliation agreement or the date of the annual and special meetings.
Additionally, Emerald may terminate the affiliation agreement if the average
closing price of Fifth Third common stock for the 30 trading days ending five
trading days before the effective time of the merger is less than $45.00 per
share and Fifth Third may terminate the affiliation agreement if the average
closing price over the same period is greater than $85.00 per share.
EMERALD'S SHAREHOLDERS WILL HAVE NO CONTROL OF FIFTH THIRD'S FUTURE
OPERATIONS.
Emerald's shareholders own 100% of Emerald and, in the aggregate, have the
power to approve or reject any matters requiring the approval of shareholders
under Ohio law and Emeralds' articles of incorporation. After the merger,
Emerald's shareholders, in the aggregate, will hold approximately 1.3% of the
outstanding shares of Fifth Third common stock. Even if all of the former
Emerald shareholders voted in concert on all matters presented to Fifth Third's
shareholders from time to time, this number of Fifth Third shares likely will
not have a major impact on whether these proposals are approved or rejected.
CERTAIN DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF EMERALD WILL RECEIVE BENEFITS IN
THE MERGER IN ADDITION TO THE MERGER CONSIDERATION RECEIVED BY ALL OTHER
EMERALD SHAREHOLDERS.
Certain directors and executive officers of Emerald will receive benefits
in the merger in addition to the merger consideration received by you and all of
the other Emerald shareholders:
- Mr. Perciak will receive a change-in-control payment of approximately
$ and Mr. Ziegler will receive a change-in-control payment of
approximately $235,000;
- The merger will constitute a change in control under the severance
agreements held by eight officers of The Strongsville Savings Bank, three
of whom are also officers of Emerald, which will result in total payments
of approximately $657,400 to these officers;
- Fifth Third will pay Mr. Perciak a $115,000 retention bonus at the
effective time of the merger;
- Benefits under Executive Supplemental Benefit Plans will accelerate for
eight officers of Emerald and The Strongsville Savings Bank;
- Fifth Third will assume the Executive Supplemental Benefit Plans of Mr.
Perciak and Mr. Ziegler, but their benefits will not be accelerated;
- Mr. Perciak and Mr. Ziegler will enter into employment agreements with
Fifth Third Bank, Northwestern Ohio, N.A.;
- Messrs. Perciak and Ziegler have agreed that the merger will not
constitute a change in control under their split dollar insurance
agreements and Fifth Third has agreed to continue to pay the premiums on
these policies;
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<PAGE> 14
- Fifth Third will assume all provisions for indemnification and limitation
of liability now existing in favor of the directors and officers of
Emerald and will purchase and keep in effect for a three-year period, a
policy of directors' and officers' liability insurance; and
- All unvested outstanding options to purchase shares of Emerald common
stock will become fully exercisable upon approval of the affiliation
agreement by the Emerald shareholders and will be converted into options
to purchase shares of Fifth Third common stock at the effective time of
the merger.
EMERALD MAY ENCOUNTER PROBLEMS IN CONTINUING TO OPERATE EMERALD INDEPENDENTLY
THAT MAY DIMINISH THE VALUE OF EMERALD'S COMMON STOCK IN THE FUTURE.
If the merger is not completed, Emerald's shareholders should be aware that
certain factors may reduce Emerald's value if these potential problems are not
adequately resolved by Emerald. These factors include:
- shrinking profit margins in the traditional mortgage and deposit
gathering banking business;
- the need to broaden Emerald's product line so as to diversify Emerald's
revenue stream and reduce its dependence on residential real estate
development lending;
- prospective lower earnings during the implementation and start-up periods
of broadening Emerald's product line, during which time these capital
investments and structural changes would not be contributing to earnings;
- the uncertainty of successfully diversifying Emerald's revenues; and
- the prices being received for sales of financial institutions in the
prevailing market could decline over the ensuing years.
POST MERGER RISKS
FIFTH THIRD'S ACQUISITION STRATEGY COULD POSE RISKS.
Fifth Third has grown through acquisitions in recent years and anticipates
that it will make additional acquisitions in the future. Fifth Third frequently
evaluates strategic opportunities not only in the banking industry but also in
related financial service industries. One or more future acquisitions could be
material to Fifth Third. Fifth Third may need to issue more common stock to pay
for those acquisitions, which would further dilute the ownership interest of all
Fifth Third shareholders at the time of the acquisition. Acquisitions also could
require Fifth Third to use substantial cash or other liquid assets or to incur
debt. In those events, Fifth Third could become more susceptible to economic
downturns and competitive pressures.
FIFTH THIRD FACES INTENSE COMPETITION FOR FINANCIAL SERVICES.
Fifth Third competes with hundreds of commercial banks, savings and loans
and other financial services providers. In addition to the challenge of
attracting and retaining customers for traditional banking services, Fifth
Third's competitors now include securities dealers, brokers, mortgage bankers,
investment advisors and finance and insurance companies who seek to offer
one-stop financial services to their customers that may include services that
banks have not been able or allowed to offer to their customers in the past. The
increasingly competitive environment is a result primarily of changes in
regulation, changes in technology and product delivery systems and the
accelerating pace of consolidation among financial services providers. Fifth
Third's ability to maintain its history of strong financial performance and
return on investment to shareholders will depend in part on Fifth Third's
ability to expand its scope of available financial services as needed to meet
the needs and demands of its customers.
FIFTH THIRD MAY ENCOUNTER DIFFICULTIES IN COMBINING THE OPERATIONS OF ACQUIRED
ENTITIES WITH FIFTH THIRD'S OWN OPERATIONS.
Because the markets and industries in which Fifth Third operates are highly
competitive, and because of the inherent uncertainties associated with the
integration of an acquired company, there can be no assurance that Fifth Third
will be able to realize fully the strategic objectives and operating
efficiencies in all of its
10
<PAGE> 15
acquisitions, including Emerald. In addition, Fifth Third may lose key
personnel, either from the acquired entity or from itself, as a result of
acquisitions. These factors could contribute to the benefits expected from
acquisitions not being achieved within expected time frames.
GOVERNMENTAL REGULATION AND LEGISLATION COULD LIMIT FIFTH THIRD'S FUTURE
GROWTH.
Fifth Third and its subsidiaries are subject to extensive state and federal
regulation, supervision, and legislation which govern almost all aspects of the
operations of Fifth Third and its subsidiaries. These laws may change from time
to time and are primarily intended for the protection of consumers, depositors,
and the deposit insurance funds. The impact of any changes to these laws may
negatively impact Fifth Third's ability to expand its services and to increase
the value of its business. In addition, Fifth Third's earnings are affected by
the monetary policies of the Federal Reserve Board. These policies, which
include regulating the national supply of bank reserves and bank credit, can
have a major effect upon the source and cost of funds and the rates of return
earned on loans and investments. The Federal Reserve influences the size and
distribution of bank reserves through its open market operations and changes in
cash reserve requirements against member bank deposits. We cannot predict what
effect any presently contemplated or future changes in the laws or regulations
or their interpretations would have on Fifth Third, but such changes could be
materially adverse to Fifth Third's shareholders.
CHANGES IN INTEREST RATES COULD REDUCE FIFTH THIRD'S INCOME AND CASH FLOWS.
Fifth Third's income and cash flows depend to a great extent on "interest
rate differentials" and the resulting net interest margins (i.e., the difference
between the interest rates earned on interest-earning assets such as loans and
investment securities, and the interest rates paid on interest-bearing
liabilities such as deposits and borrowings). These rates are highly sensitive
to many factors which are beyond Fifth Third's control, including general
economic conditions and the policies of various governmental and regulatory
agencies, in particular, the Federal Reserve Board. Changes in monetary policy,
including changes in interest rates, will influence the origination of loans,
the purchase of investments, the generation of deposits, and the rates received
on loans and investment securities and paid on deposits. Fluctuations in these
areas may adversely affect Fifth Third.
FIFTH THIRD'S OPERATIONS MUST BE YEAR 2000 COMPLIANT.
As with other bank holding companies and other businesses generally, Fifth
Third is exposed to the risk that the year 2000 could cause system failures
which could be disruptive to Fifth Third's operations. Although Fifth Third has
undertaken significant projects to minimize the risk that the year 2000 will
result in any significant problems for Fifth Third, some factors are not within
Fifth Third's direct control and could disrupt Fifth Third's operations.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS MAY PROVE INACCURATE.
This document, including information incorporated by reference into this
document, contains or may contain forward-looking statements that involve risks
and uncertainties. This document contains certain forward-looking statements
with respect to the financial condition, results of operations, plans,
objectives, future performance and business of each of Fifth Third and Emerald,
including statements preceded by, followed by or that include the words
"believes," "expects," "anticipates" or similar expressions. These
forward-looking statements involve certain risks and uncertainties. Factors that
may cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by such
forward-looking statements include, among others, those risks discussed above.
11
<PAGE> 16
THE ANNUAL AND SPECIAL MEETINGS
This document and the accompanying BLUE proxy card are being furnished to
you in connection with the solicitation by the board of directors of Emerald of
proxies to be used at the annual meeting to be held at 10:30 a.m., Eastern
Daylight Savings Time, on July 8, 1999, at Quality Catering Party Center, 9200
Pearl Road, Strongsville, Ohio, and at any adjournments thereof. The
accompanying notice and WHITE proxy card are being furnished to you in
connection with the solicitation by the Emerald board of directors of proxies to
be used at a separate special meeting to be held after the annual meeting at
11:30 a.m., Eastern Daylight Savings Time, on July 8, 1999, at Quality Catering
Party Center, 9200 Pearl Road, Strongsville, Ohio, and at any adjournments
thereof. This document, the enclosed Fifth Third 1998 Annual Report to
Shareholders, notices of Emerald's annual and special meetings, and BLUE and
WHITE proxy cards are first being sent to you on or about , 1999.
PURPOSE OF THE MEETINGS
The purpose of the annual meeting of Emerald's shareholders is to approve
the affiliation agreement, and the transactions contemplated thereby, including
the merger of Emerald with and into Fifth Third, and elect three Emerald
directors for a three year term or until the merger is completed. Emerald's
shareholders also may consider and vote upon such other matters as are properly
brought before the annual meeting, including a proposal to adjourn the annual
meeting to permit further solicitation of proxies by the Emerald board in the
event that there are not sufficient votes to approve the affiliation agreement
at the time of the annual meeting. However, no proxy which is voted against the
affiliation agreement will be voted in favor of adjournment to solicit further
proxies for such proposal. As of the date of this document, the Emerald board
knows of no business that will be presented for consideration at the annual
meeting, other than matters described in this document.
The purpose of the separate special meeting is to approve the control share
acquisition by Fifth Third of more than a majority of the voting power of
Emerald in connection with the merger. Because Ohio law requires this approval
to take place at a special meeting of shareholders, we have scheduled the
separate special meeting to take place after the annual meeting at 11:30 a.m.,
Eastern Daylight Savings Time, on July 8, 1999, at Quality Catering Party
Center, 9200 Pearl Road, Strongsville, Ohio.
VOTING AND REVOCABILITY OF PROXIES
Shareholders who execute proxies retain the right to revoke them at any
time prior to their exercise. Unless revoked, the shares represented by proxies
will be voted at the annual and special meetings and all adjournments thereof.
Proxies may be revoked by: (1) written notice to Paula M. Dewey, Corporate
Secretary, Emerald Financial Corp., P.O. Box 360515, Strongsville, Ohio
44136-0009, (2) filing a later dated proxy prior to a vote being taken on a
particular proposal at either the annual or special meeting or (3) attending
either the annual or special meeting and voting in person.
Proxies solicited by the Emerald board will be voted in accordance with the
directions given on the proxy cards. IF YOU DO NOT INDICATE YOUR VOTE ON THE
PROXY, YOUR PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR APPROVAL OF THE AFFILIATION AGREEMENT AND
THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED THEREBY, INCLUDING THE MERGER, AND FOR THE
ELECTION OF THE NOMINEES FOR DIRECTOR NAMED IN THIS DOCUMENT AT THE ANNUAL
MEETING (REPRESENTED BY THE BLUE PROXY CARD) AND IN FAVOR OF THE CONTROL SHARE
ACQUISITION BY FIFTH THIRD AT THE SPECIAL MEETING (REPRESENTED BY THE WHITE
PROXY CARD). YOU ALSO WILL BE DEEMED TO HAVE WAIVED THE APPRAISAL RIGHTS OF A
DISSENTING SHAREHOLDER. The proxies confer discretionary authority on the
persons named on the proxy cards to vote Emerald common stock with respect to
matters incident to the conduct of the annual and special meetings. If any other
business is presented at either the annual or special meetings, proxies will be
voted in accordance with the discretion of the proxy holders. Proxies marked as
abstentions will have the same effect as a vote against the merger at the annual
meeting and against the control share acquisition by Fifth Third at the special
meeting.
If you do not return your BLUE proxy card or otherwise vote at the annual
meeting, it will have the same effect as if you voted against the merger at the
annual meeting, but will have no effect on the election of
12
<PAGE> 17
directors, or the control share acquisition. Failure to return your WHITE proxy
card or otherwise vote at the special meeting will have no effect on the vote at
the special meeting to approve the control share acquisition by Fifth Third of
more than a majority of the voting power of Emerald.
VOTES REQUIRED
Approval of Affiliation Agreement. The affirmative vote of at least
two-thirds of the shares of Emerald common stock outstanding as of May 14, 1999
is required for the approval of the affiliation agreement and the transactions
contemplated thereby at the annual meeting.
We expect that substantially all of the shares of Emerald
common stock beneficially owned by directors and executive officers of Emerald
at the May 14, 1999 record date ( % of the total outstanding
shares at that date) will be voted for the approval of the affiliation agreement
and the transactions contemplated thereby. In connection with the execution of
the affiliation agreement, Mrs. Joan M. Dzurilla, a director of Emerald who
holds approximately 2,464,740 shares or 22.5% of the Emerald common stock,
executed a shareholder support agreement with Fifth Third. In this agreement,
Ms. Dzurilla agreed to vote her shares of Emerald common stock in favor of the
affiliation agreement and the merger and waived all rights under the Ohio
Revised Code available to her to demand appraisal of her shares of Emerald
common stock. Ms. Dzurilla's 2,464,740 shares of Emerald common stock are
included in the shares of Emerald common stock beneficially owned
by directors and executive officers of Emerald. A copy of the shareholder
support agreement is attached to this document as Annex E.
ELECTION OF EMERALD DIRECTORS. A plurality of the votes cast by holders of
Emerald common stock represented in person or by proxy at the annual meeting is
sufficient to elect the directors of Emerald, meaning that the nominees
receiving the greatest number of votes will be elected as directors of Emerald.
Abstentions have no effect on the election of directors.
OHIO CONTROL SHARE ACQUISITION ACT. Section 1701.831 of the Ohio Revised
Code, the Ohio Control Share Acquisition Act, provides that any "control share
acquisition" of an Ohio issuing public corporation shall be made only with the
prior authorization of the shareholders of the issuing public corporation in
accordance with the provisions of the Ohio Control Share Acquisition Act. A
"control share acquisition" is defined under the Ohio Control Share Acquisition
Act to mean the acquisition, directly or indirectly, by any person of shares of
an issuing public corporation that, when added to all other shares of the
issuing public corporation that person owns, would entitle that person, directly
or indirectly, to exercise voting power in the election of directors within the
following ranges: more than 20%, more than 33 1/3%, and a majority. The merger
constitutes a "control share acquisition" under the Ohio Control Share
Acquisition Act.
The Ohio Control Share Acquisition Act also requires that the acquiring
person must deliver an acquiring person statement to the Ohio issuing public
corporation. Emerald received the acquiring person statement from Fifth Third on
April 19, 1999. The Ohio issuing public corporation must then call a special
meeting of its shareholders to vote upon the proposed acquisition within 50 days
after receipt of the acquiring person statement unless the acquiring person
agrees to a later date. Fifth Third has agreed to allow the special meeting to
be held on July 8, 1999. A copy of the acquiring person statement is attached
hereto as Annex D. Emerald's shareholders will have the opportunity to vote upon
Fifth Third's proposed acquisition at the separate special meeting. A notice and
WHITE proxy card for the special meeting accompany this document.
The Ohio Control Share Acquisition Act further specifies that the
shareholders of the Ohio issuing public corporation must approve the proposed
control share acquisition by certain percentages at a special meeting of
shareholders at which a quorum is present. For purposes of the Ohio Control
Share Acquisition Act, a quorum is deemed to be a majority of the voting power
of Emerald in the election of directors. Accordingly, failure to return your
WHITE proxy card or otherwise vote at the special meeting, while not acting as a
vote against the control share acquisition, will reduce the likelihood that a
quorum is present at the special meeting. If we do not achieve a quorum at the
special meeting, we may have to reschedule the special meeting and continue to
solicit proxies for it which could delay the merger and increase Emerald's costs
in holding the meeting.
13
<PAGE> 18
In order to comply with the Ohio Control Share Acquisition Act, Fifth Third
may only acquire the shares of Emerald upon the affirmative vote of (1) a
majority of the voting power of the shares of Emerald common stock that is
represented in person or by proxy at the separate special meeting, and (2) a
majority of the voting power of the shares of Emerald common stock that is
represented in person or by proxy at the special meeting excluding those shares
of Emerald common stock deemed to be "interested shares" for purposes of the
Ohio Control Share Acquisition Act.
"Interested shares" are defined under the Ohio Control Share Acquisition
Act to mean shares in respect of which the voting power is controlled by any of
the following persons: (1) an acquiring person (in this case, Fifth Third); (2)
any officer of Emerald; and (3) any employee who is also a director of Emerald.
"Interested shares" also include shares of Emerald common stock that are
acquired by any person after the date of the first public disclosure of the
proposed merger (in this case February 24, 1999) and the date of the special
meeting, if either (1) the aggregate consideration paid by that person, and any
person acting in concert with him, for such shares of Emerald common stock
exceeds $250,000, or (2) the number of shares acquired by that person, and any
person acting in concert with him, exceeds one-half of one percent of the
outstanding shares of Emerald common stock. In order to determine whether any
shares acquired after February 24, 1999 constitute "interested shares" pursuant
to the preceding sentence, Emerald will examine its stock records as of February
24, 1999, as of the record date and as of the last business day preceding the
special meeting. If any record holder (other than a broker, bank or other
nominee) has increased his ownership interest by more than one-half of one
percent of the outstanding share of Emerald common stock, or by a number of
shares in excess of $250,000 divided by the book value of a share of Emerald
common stock during the period from February 24, 1999 through the record date,
these additional shares held by this holder will be deemed "interested shares"
upon receipt by Emerald of a validly executed WHITE proxy card from this record
holder. A record holder may rebut a presumption that shares are "interested
shares" by providing Emerald with documentation satisfactory to Emerald's legal
counsel establishing that these shares are not "interested shares" within the
definition of Section 1701.01(CC)(2) of the Ohio Revised Code.
As of the record date, of the shares of Emerald common stock
held by employee directors and officers of Emerald would be "interested shares"
under the Ohio Control Share Acquisition Act. Except as set forth in the
preceding paragraph, all other shares will be presumed to be disinterested
shares unless Emerald acquires actual knowledge of facts that evidence that
these other shares must be deemed "interested shares."
SOLICITATION OF PROXIES
Emerald will pay all the costs of soliciting proxies, except that Fifth
Third will pay for the expenses of printing and mailing this document. Emerald
will reimburse brokerage firms and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries
for reasonable expenses incurred by them in sending proxy materials to the
beneficial owners of common stock. In addition to solicitations by mail,
directors, officers and regular employees of Emerald or The Strongsville Savings
Bank may solicit proxies personally or by telephone without additional
compensation.
PROPOSAL -- MERGER OF EMERALD INTO FIFTH THIRD
The following description summarizes all material terms of the affiliation
agreement. We urge you to read the affiliation agreement, a copy of which is
attached as Annex A to this document and is incorporated by reference into this
document.
STRUCTURE OF THE MERGER
Upon completion of the merger, Emerald will merge with and into Fifth Third
and Emerald will cease to exist as a separate entity. In a related simultaneous
transaction, The Strongsville Savings Bank will merge with and into Fifth Third
Bank, Northwestern Ohio, N.A.
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<PAGE> 19
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
The respective boards of directors of Fifth Third and Fifth Third Bank,
Northwestern Ohio, N.A. after the merger is completed will consist of all of the
members of such boards of directors who are in office at the effective time of
the merger. These directors will continue to serve for the term for which they
were elected, subject to the applicable code of regulations and in accordance
with law. Additionally, in the affiliation agreement Fifth Third agreed to
appoint Thomas P. Perciak, President, Chief Executive Officer and a director of
Emerald, Kenneth J. Piechowski, a director of Emerald, and Mike Kalinich, Sr.,
Chairman of the Emerald board of directors, to the Cleveland board of directors
of Fifth Third Bank, Northwestern Ohio, N. A. The officers of Fifth Third and
Fifth Third Bank, Northwestern Ohio, N.A. after the merger is completed will be
those officers who are in office at the effective time of the merger, subject to
the applicable code of regulations and in accordance with law. Fifth Third has
also agreed to enter into employment contracts with Mr. Perciak and John F.
Ziegler, Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and a director of
Emerald, as officers of Fifth Third Bank, Northwestern Ohio, N.A.
MERGER CONSIDERATION
Each share of Emerald common stock (excluding treasury shares and shares
that properly dissent to the merger) that is issued and outstanding immediately
prior to the effective time of the merger will be canceled and converted, by
virtue of the merger and without any further action, into the right to receive
.30 of a share of Fifth Third common stock. In the event of any stock dividends,
reclassifications, recapitalizations, split-ups, exchanges of shares,
distributions or combinations or subdivisions of Fifth Third common stock before
the effective time of the merger, the exchange ratio will be adjusted so as to
give shareholders of Emerald the economic benefit of such event or action.
THE VALUE OF THE FIFTH THIRD COMMON STOCK TO BE RECEIVED BY YOU WILL DEPEND
ON THE MARKET PRICE OF SHARES OF FIFTH THIRD COMMON STOCK AT THE EFFECTIVE TIME
OF THE MERGER. THE MARKET PRICE OF FIFTH THIRD COMMON STOCK IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE
AT ALL TIMES BASED ON THE FUTURE FINANCIAL CONDITION AND OPERATING RESULTS OF
FIFTH THIRD, FUTURE MARKET CONDITIONS AND OTHER FACTORS. ON FEBRUARY 26, 1999,
THE BUSINESS DAY IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE MERGER, FIFTH
THIRD'S COMMON STOCK CLOSED AT $66.06. BETWEEN FEBRUARY 26, 1999 AND
, 1999, FIFTH THIRD'S COMMON STOCK TRADED AS HIGH AS $ AND
AS LOW AS $ . ON , 1999, FIFTH THIRD'S COMMON STOCK CLOSED
AT $ . THE MARKET PRICE OF FIFTH THIRD COMMON STOCK AT THE EFFECTIVE
TIME OF THE MERGER MAY BE SUBSTANTIALLY HIGHER OR LOWER THAN RECENT PRICES. YOU
ARE ADVISED TO OBTAIN CURRENT MARKET QUOTATIONS FOR FIFTH THIRD COMMON STOCK.
NO FRACTIONAL SHARES
Only whole shares of Fifth Third common stock will be issued in connection
with the merger. In lieu of fractional shares, each holder of Emerald common
stock otherwise entitled to a fractional share of Fifth Third common stock will
be paid, without interest, an amount of cash equal to the amount of this
fraction multiplied by the closing price of Fifth Third common stock as reported
on the Nasdaq National Market on the date the merger is completed. No
shareholder will be entitled to interest, dividends, voting rights or other
rights in respect of any fractional share.
EFFECTIVE TIME OF THE MERGER
Unless we agree otherwise, the effective time of the merger will occur on a
Friday which is as soon as is reasonably possible following the date on which
all conditions contained in the affiliation agreement have been met or waived,
including the expiration of all applicable waiting periods. It is anticipated
that the effective time of the merger will occur in August 1999, although no
assurance can be given in this regard. Emerald and Fifth Third each will have
the right, but not the obligation, to terminate the affiliation agreement if the
effective time of the merger does not occur on or before October 31, 1999,
subject to certain conditions.
15
<PAGE> 20
EXCHANGE OF CERTIFICATES
After the effective time of the merger, you will cease to have any rights
as a shareholder of Emerald, and your sole rights will pertain to the rights to
receive shares of Fifth Third common stock and cash in lieu of fractional
shares, if any, into which your shares of Emerald common stock will have been
converted pursuant to the affiliation agreement or fair value in cash if you
perfect your dissenter's rights pursuant to Ohio law.
As soon as practicable after the effective time of the merger, if you have
not dissented to the merger, Fifth Third will send to you a letter of
transmittal for use in submitting to Fifth Third, acting as exchange agent,
certificates formerly representing shares of Emerald common stock to be
exchanged for certificates representing Fifth Third common stock (and, to the
extent applicable, cash in lieu of fractional shares of Fifth Third common
stock) which you are entitled to receive as a result of the merger. You will
also receive instructions for handling lost Emerald share certificates. You will
not be entitled to receive any dividends or other distributions which may be
payable to holders of record of Fifth Third common stock following the effective
time of the merger until you have surrendered and exchanged your certificates
evidencing ownership of Emerald common stock. Any dividends payable on Fifth
Third common stock after the effective time of the merger will be paid to the
exchange agent and, upon receipt of the certificates representing Emerald common
stock, the exchange agent will forward to you (1) certificates representing your
shares of Fifth Third common stock, (2) dividends declared thereon subsequent to
the effective time of the merger, without interest, and (3) the cash value of
any fractional shares, without interest. You should not submit share
certificates until you have received written instructions to do so.
At the effective time of the merger, the stock transfer books of Emerald
will be closed and no transfer of Emerald common stock will thereafter be made
on Emerald's stock transfer books. If a certificate formerly representing
Emerald common stock is presented to Emerald or Fifth Third, it will be
forwarded to the exchange agent for cancellation and exchange for a certificate
representing shares of Fifth Third common stock. At the time Emerald's
reorganization into a holding company was completed, Emerald did not require
that all certificates representing an interest in The Strongsville Savings Bank
be surrendered in exchange for an Emerald certificate. Although Emerald
shareholders may hold stock certificates in the name of The Strongsville Savings
Bank, those stock certificates nevertheless evidence Emerald shares. Whether a
shareholder holds stock certificates issued in the name of Emerald or The
Strongsville Savings Bank, following closing of the merger transaction those
certificates must be exchanged for a certificate representing shares of Fifth
Third common stock.
BACKGROUND AND REASONS FOR THE MERGER
Emerald reviews on an ongoing basis its options to enhance shareholder
value. Emerald's primary shareholder enhancement strategy has been to build a
strong retail banking franchise, with the most significant step towards
enhancing shareholder value being management's strategy of expanding Emerald's
residential acquisition, development and construction lending business through
internal growth and new branches. Emerald expanded its banking franchise with
new branches in Medina Township in 1994, Broadview Heights and Columbia Station
in 1995, Avon and Brunswick in 1996, and Avon Lake in 1999. Two additional
branches in Northfield and Medina are scheduled to open later this year. These
new branch locations are in some of the fastest growing communities in
northeastern Ohio. The new branches represent logical market extensions,
providing The Strongsville Savings Bank with a stable source of deposits and
construction and mortgage loan originations for the future. Emerald has also in
the past considered various mergers and acquisitions of companies as a means to
enhance shareholder value.
Emerald has from time to time received overtures from larger banking
institutions, including Fifth Third, interested in expanding into the Cleveland
market or combining their existing franchise with Emerald. In early January
1999, a senior executive of Fifth Third contacted Mr. Perciak to request a
meeting. During that telephone conversation, the senior executive of Fifth Third
expressed strong interest in pursuing conversations with Emerald concerning a
merger and made a nonbinding expression of interest at $16.00 per share, in a
share-for-share exchange.
16
<PAGE> 21
Following Fifth Third's expression of interest, Emerald's board of
directors in January 1999 requested that McDonald Investments Inc. meet with the
Emerald board to review the current operations of Emerald with a focus on the
strategic opportunities to enhance shareholder value during the next several
years, the related risks of these options, and the current merger and
acquisition market. After a thorough review, Emerald's board and management
identified certain factors which could limit the ability of Emerald to continue
the historical earnings per share and stock price growth of Emerald in the
future. These factors included:
- shrinking profit margins in the traditional mortgage and deposit
gathering banking business;
- the prudence of relying on and significantly increasing residential real
estate development lending;
- the need to broaden Emerald's product line so as to diversify Emerald's
revenue stream and reduce its dependence on residential real estate
development lending;
- prospective lower earnings during the implementation and start-up periods
of broadening Emerald's product line, during which time these capital
investments and structural changes would not be contributing to earnings;
- the uncertainty of successfully diversifying Emerald's revenues;
- the prices being received for sales of financial institutions in the
prevailing market could decline over the ensuing years;
- the need for a more significant commitment of resources to technology;
and
- the highly competitive and rapidly changing financial services industry.
At Emerald's January 1999 board of directors meeting, McDonald also
reviewed the merger evaluation process, and Emerald's legal counsel reviewed
generally the fiduciary obligations of directors in the merger evaluation
process.
On February 2, 1999, Messrs. Perciak and Ziegler, Emerald's senior
executive officers, met with Messrs. Robert P. Niehaus and P. Michael Brumm,
each an Executive Vice President of Fifth Third, and Mr. Robert J. King, Jr.,
President and Chief Executive Officer of Fifth Third Bank, Northwestern Ohio,
N.A. Messrs. Niehaus, Brumm and King outlined Fifth Third's nonbinding
expression of interest for a strategic alliance with Emerald. Fifth Third's
proposal included a fixed exchange ratio of 0.2645 shares of Fifth Third common
stock for each share of Emerald common stock. This corresponded to an increased
value of $18.00 per Emerald share based upon Fifth Third's closing stock price
of $68.0625 on January 28, 1999. Fifth Third requested that it be permitted to
negotiate with Emerald on an exclusive basis, but Emerald did not agree to
negotiate exclusively with Fifth Third. With the assistance of McDonald, Emerald
identified bank and thrift holding companies which might logically have an
interest in combining with Emerald. McDonald held confidential discussions with
several companies on February 3 and 4, 1999, and after consultation with
Emerald, it was concluded that none of the companies could at that time
structure an offer providing the combination of an attractive current valuation,
increased trading liquidity and potential for future appreciation represented by
Fifth Third's proposal.
On February 8, 1999, at Emerald's request, a representative of McDonald
held discussions with Fifth Third by telephone concerning the proposed exchange
ratio. Subject to Fifth Third's satisfactory due diligence review of Emerald's
operations, Fifth Third agreed on February 8, 1999 to increase its exchange
ratio to 0.30 shares of Fifth Third common stock for each share of Emerald
common stock (corresponding to a $19.05 per share value of Emerald stock based
upon Fifth Third's closing stock price of $63.50 per share on February 8, 1999).
This increased offer to an exchange ratio of 0.30 shares represented an increase
of approximately $6 million over the February 2, 1999 proposal and $40 million
over the early January 1999 indication of interest.
On February 9, 1999, Mr. Perciak and a representative of McDonald met with
representatives of Fifth Third, including George A. Schaefer, Jr., President and
Chief Executive Officer of Fifth Third, and Messrs. Brumm, Neal E. Arnold, Fifth
Third's Chief Financial Officer, Executive Vice President and
17
<PAGE> 22
Treasurer, and Niehaus, at Fifth Third's headquarters to explore the benefits of
a merger as well as to clarify many financial and non-financial issues related
to a merger.
On February 10, 1999, the Emerald board of directors held a special
meeting. At that meeting, the Emerald board of directors authorized management
to negotiate a possible strategic alliance with Fifth Third and retain McDonald
to evaluate Fifth Third's unsolicited offer for a business combination. On
February 11, 1999, Fifth Third and Emerald executed a confidentiality agreement.
Subsequently, Emerald provided Fifth Third with various regulatory and internal
documents. Fifth Third conducted an on-site due diligence investigation of
Emerald on Sunday, February 21, and Monday, February 22, 1999. Discussion and
negotiations with respect to the definitive affiliation agreement and related
agreements between Fifth Third, Emerald, and their financial and legal advisors
took place during the week of February 22, 1999.
On Saturday, February 27, 1999, the Emerald board reviewed the terms of the
affiliation agreement and received presentations from Emerald's legal counsel
and McDonald. At this meeting, legal counsel again reviewed generally the
fiduciary obligations of directors, and commented on the form of definitive
agreement, the non-competition and affiliate agreements to be entered into
between Emerald's directors and executive officers and Fifth Third, and the
change-in-control provisions of employment and severance agreements previously
entered into with certain officers of Emerald and The Strongsville Savings Bank
that would be affected by the merger. See "Terms of the Affiliation
Agreement -- Interests of Certain Persons in the Merger." At the February 27,
1999 Emerald board meeting, McDonald made an extensive presentation concerning
(1) an analysis of Fifth Third's proposal and its impact on Emerald's
shareholders, (2) Fifth Third's financial, market and dividend history, and (3)
a general review of the merger evaluation process to date. McDonald also orally
advised Emerald's board of directors that, as of that date, the exchange ratio
was fair to the holders of Emerald common stock from a financial point of view.
Without assigning any relative or specific weights, the Emerald board of
directors considered the following material factors in its decision to approve
the affiliation agreement:
- the financial condition, operations and prospects of Emerald and the
anticipated effect of these factors on shareholder value;
- the prospects for growth and expanded products and services, and other
anticipated impacts on depositors, employees, customers and communities
served by Emerald;
- the value of the exchange ratio, based upon the closing price of Fifth
Third stock on February 26, 1999, represented an implied premium of
between 35% and 65% over recent market prices of Emerald;
- the financial and valuation analyses prepared, and the oral fairness
opinion rendered, by McDonald;
- the terms of the affiliation agreement and the other documents executed
in connection with the affiliation agreement as negotiated (including the
transaction structure, the form and amount of the merger consideration,
and the potential impact of the proposed affiliation agreement and the
shareholder support agreement on other institutions that might have an
interest in a business combination with Emerald);
- the value of the merger consideration will vary as a result of any
changes in the price of Fifth Third common stock and that any such
changes in value will not be limited by a collar arrangement;
- the substantially greater liquidity of Fifth Third common stock compared
to Emerald common stock;
- the financial condition, operations and prospects of Fifth Third and the
anticipated effect thereon of the proposed transaction;
- the potential for appreciation in the value of Fifth Third common stock
as well as the risks associated with the fact that Fifth Third's common
stock currently trades at a substantial premium to the stocks of
comparable bank holding companies;
- the nature and compatibility of Fifth Third's management and business
philosophy;
18
<PAGE> 23
- the expectation that the merger will generally be a tax-free transaction
to Emerald's shareholders;
- the expected treatment of the merger as a pooling-of-interests for
financial reporting purposes; and
- regulatory and similar factors.
After extensive consideration of the terms and conditions of the
affiliation agreement and other related matters, including the proposed
employment contracts of Fifth Third Bank, Northwestern Ohio, N.A., with Messrs.
Perciak and Ziegler, the Emerald board of directors unanimously approved the
affiliation agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby. The affiliation
agreement was signed by Fifth Third and Emerald effective Saturday, February 27,
1999, and a public announcement of the agreement was made on Monday, March 1,
1999.
In approving the affiliation agreement, the Emerald board of directors was
aware that (1) the affiliation agreement contains certain provisions prohibiting
Emerald from initiating, soliciting, or negotiating other offers or agreements
to acquire Emerald (see "Terms of the Affiliation Agreement -- Conduct Pending
Merger" and " -- Representations and Warranties"), and (2) the shareholder
support agreement may have the effect of discouraging persons who may now, or
prior to the effective time of the merger, be interested in acquiring all of or
a significant interest in Emerald from considering or proposing such an
acquisition, even if the person were prepared to offer to pay consideration to
shareholders of Emerald which had a higher current market price than the merger
consideration to be received for each share of Emerald common stock pursuant to
the affiliation agreement. See "The Annual and Special Meetings -- Votes
Required." However, the Emerald board of directors was also aware that these
terms were specifically bargained for inducements for Fifth Third to enter into
the affiliation agreement, and that the obligation of the Emerald board of
directors under the affiliation agreement to recommend approval of the
affiliation agreement by its shareholders was explicitly made subject to, among
other conditions, the fiduciary obligations of the Emerald board of directors
under applicable law. Accordingly, the affiliation agreement permits the Emerald
board of directors, if required by the exercise of its fiduciary duties under
applicable law, to withdraw, modify or change its recommendation.
In addition, in connection with its approval of the proposed merger, the
Emerald board of directors was advised by McDonald that the indicated value of
the merger exceeded the upper end of McDonald's range of estimates of Emerald's
stand-alone value (i.e., the market price of Emerald common stock if Emerald
remained an independent company). In presenting this advice, McDonald stated
that these findings were necessarily based upon economic, market, monetary and
other conditions as they existed and could be evaluated at that time,
represented its best business judgment under the circumstances and should not be
construed in any way as a financial fairness or other form of expert opinion.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF EMERALD UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT THE
SHAREHOLDERS OF EMERALD VOTE FOR ADOPTION OF THE AFFILIATION AGREEMENT.
Fifth Third's primary reason for entering into the merger is to further a
long-range commitment of realigning and expanding its banking system to better
meet and satisfy the needs of its customers, including those in Emerald's
service area. Fifth Third's acquisition strategy has generally been to fill in
its markets along the interstate highways in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana. These
acquisitions are designed to strengthen Fifth Third's ability to compete in
these markets by increasing its presence, consumer access and sales force.
OPINION OF FINANCIAL ADVISOR TO EMERALD
MERGER -- GENERAL. Pursuant to an engagement letter dated February 10, 1999
between Emerald and McDonald, Emerald retained McDonald to act as its sole
financial advisor in connection with the merger and related matters. As part of
its engagement, McDonald agreed, if requested by Emerald, to render an opinion
with respect to the fairness, from a financial point of view, to the holders of
Emerald common stock, of the exchange ratio as set forth in the affiliation
agreement. McDonald is a nationally recognized specialist in the financial
services industry, in general, and in Midwestern banks and thrifts in
particular. McDonald is regularly engaged in valuations of similar businesses
and in advising institutions with regard to mergers and
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<PAGE> 24
acquisitions, as well as raising debt and equity capital for such institutions.
Emerald selected McDonald as its financial advisor based upon McDonald's
qualifications, expertise and reputation in such capacity.
On February 27, 1999, McDonald delivered to the Emerald board of directors
its oral opinion, which McDonald subsequently confirmed in writing, that the
exchange ratio was fair to Emerald shareholders, from a financial point of view,
as of the date of such opinion. McDonald has also delivered to the Emerald board
of directors a written opinion as of the date of this document (the "McDonald
Opinion"), which is substantially similar to the February 27, 1999 opinion. No
limitations were imposed by Emerald on McDonald with respect to the
investigations made or the procedures followed in rendering its opinion.
THE FULL TEXT OF THE MCDONALD OPINION, WHICH SETS FORTH THE ASSUMPTIONS
MADE, MATTERS CONSIDERED AND EXTENT OF REVIEW BY MCDONALD, IS ATTACHED AS ANNEX
B TO THIS DOCUMENT AND IS INCORPORATED HEREIN BY REFERENCE. IT SHOULD BE READ
CAREFULLY AND IN ITS ENTIRETY IN CONJUNCTION WITH THIS DOCUMENT. THE FOLLOWING
SUMMARY OF MCDONALD'S OPINION IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO THE
FULL TEXT OF THE OPINION. MCDONALD'S OPINION IS ADDRESSED TO THE EMERALD BOARD
AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A RECOMMENDATION TO ANY SHAREHOLDER OF EMERALD AS TO HOW
SUCH SHAREHOLDER SHOULD VOTE AT THE EMERALD ANNUAL AND SPECIAL MEETINGS
DESCRIBED IN THIS DOCUMENT.
McDonald, in connection with rendering its February 27, 1999 opinion:
- reviewed Emerald's Annual Reports to Shareholders and Annual Reports on
Form 10-K for each of the years ended December 31, 1997, December 31,
1996 and December 31, 1995, including the audited financial statements
contained therein; and Emerald's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the
three month periods ended September 30, 1998, June 30, 1998 and March 31,
1998; and Emerald's fiscal year ended December 31, 1998 earnings release
dated January 17, 1999.
- reviewed Fifth Third's Annual Reports to Shareholders and Annual Reports
on Form 10-K for each of the years ended December 31, 1998, December 31,
1997 and December 31, 1996, including the audited financial statements
contained therein; and Fifth Third's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for
the three month period ended September 30, 1998, June 30, 1998 and March
31, 1998;
- reviewed certain other information, primarily financial in nature,
relating to the respective businesses, earnings, assets and prospects of
Emerald and Fifth Third;
- participated in meetings and telephone conferences with members of senior
management of Emerald and Fifth Third concerning the financial condition,
business, assets, financial forecasts and prospects of the respective
companies, as well as other matters we believed relevant to our inquiry;
- reviewed certain stock market information for the Emerald common stock
and Fifth Third common stock and compared it with similar information for
certain companies, the securities of which are publicly traded;
- compared the results of operations and financial condition of Emerald and
Fifth Third with that of certain companies which we deemed to be relevant
for purposes of this opinion;
- reviewed the financial terms, to the extent publicly available, of
certain acquisition transactions which we deemed to be relevant for
purposes of this opinion;
- reviewed the affiliation agreement dated February 27, 1999 and its
schedules and exhibits and certain related documents; and
- performed such other reviews and analyses as we have deemed appropriate.
The oral and written opinions provided by McDonald to Emerald were
necessarily based upon economic, monetary, financial market and other relevant
conditions as of the dates thereof.
In connection with its review and arriving at its opinion, McDonald relied
upon the accuracy and completeness of the financial information and other
pertinent information provided by Emerald to McDonald for purposes of rendering
its opinion. McDonald did not assume any obligation to independently verify any
of the provided information as being complete and accurate in all material
respects. With regard to the financial
20
<PAGE> 25
forecasts established and developed for Emerald with the input of Emerald
management, as well as projections of cost savings, revenue enhancements and
operating synergies, McDonald assumed that these materials had been reasonably
prepared on bases reflecting the best available estimates and judgments of
Emerald as to the future performance of the separate and combined entities and
that the projections provided a reasonable basis upon which McDonald could
formulate its opinion. Emerald does not publicly disclose such internal
management projections of the type utilized by McDonald in connection with
McDonald's role as financial advisor to Emerald with respect to review of the
merger. Therefore, such projections cannot be assumed to have been prepared with
a view towards public disclosure. The projections were based upon numerous
variables and assumptions that are inherently uncertain, including, among
others, factors relative to the general economic and competitive conditions
facing Emerald and Fifth Third. Accordingly, actual results could vary
significantly from those set forth in the respective projections.
McDonald does not claim to be an expert in the evaluation of loan
portfolios or the allowance for loan losses with respect thereto and therefore
assumes that such allowances for Emerald and Fifth Third are adequate to cover
such losses. In addition, McDonald does not assume responsibility for the review
of individual credit files, did not make an independent evaluation, appraisal or
physical inspection of the assets or individual properties of Emerald or Fifth
Third, nor was McDonald provided with such appraisals. Furthermore, McDonald
assumes that the merger will be consummated in accordance with the terms set
forth in the affiliation agreement, without any waiver of any material terms or
conditions by Emerald, and that obtaining the necessary regulatory approvals for
the merger will not have an adverse effect on either separate institution or the
combined entity. Moreover, in each analysis that involves per share data for
Emerald, McDonald adjusted the data to reflect full dilution, i.e., the effect
of the exercise of outstanding options and/or warrants utilizing the treasury
stock method. In particular, McDonald assumes that the merger will be recorded
as a "pooling-of-interests" in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles.
In connection with rendering its opinion to the Emerald board of directors,
McDonald performed a variety of financial and comparative analyses which are
briefly summarized below. Such summary of analyses does not purport to be a
complete description of the analyses performed by McDonald. Moreover, McDonald
believes that these analyses must be considered as a whole and that selecting
portions of such analyses and the factors considered by it, without considering
all such analyses and factors, could create an incomplete understanding of the
scope of the process underlying the analyses and, more importantly, the opinion
derived from them. The preparation of a financial advisor's opinion is a complex
process involving subjective judgments and is not necessarily susceptible to
partial analyses or a summary description of such analyses. In its full
analysis, McDonald also included assumptions with respect to general economic,
financial market and other financial conditions. Furthermore, McDonald drew from
its past experience in similar transactions, as well as its experience in the
valuation of securities and its general knowledge of the banking industry as a
whole. Any estimates in McDonald's analyses were not necessarily indicative of
actual future results or values, which may significantly diverge more or less
favorably from such estimates. Estimates of company valuations do not purport to
be appraisals nor to necessarily reflect the prices at which companies or their
respective securities actually may be sold. None of the analyses performed by
McDonald were assigned a greater significance by McDonald than any other in
deriving its opinion.
COMPARABLE COMPANY ANALYSIS: McDonald reviewed and compared actual stock
market data and actual and estimated selected financial information for Fifth
Third with corresponding information for 16 publicly
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<PAGE> 26
traded banks with assets between $10 billion and $50 billion, (the "Fifth Third
Peer Group"). The Fifth Third Peer Group is listed below (ranked by asset size):
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
1. State Street Corp. Boston, MA
2. Firstar Corp. Milwaukee, WI
3. SouthTrust Corp. Birmingham, AL
4. Regions Financial Corp. Birmingham, AL
5. Comerica Inc. Detroit, MI
6. Mercantile Bancorp. St. Louis, MI
7. BB&T Corp. Winston-Salem, NC
8. Summit Bancorp Princeton, NJ
9. Huntington Bancshares Inc. Columbus, OH
10. Northern Trust Corp. Chicago, IL
11. First Security Corp. Salt Lake City, UT
12. Marshall & Ilsley Corp. Milwaukee, WI
13. First American Corp. Nashville, TN
14. AmSouth Bancorp. Birmingham, AL
15. First Tennessee National Corp. Memphis, TN
16. Synovus Financial Corp. Columbus, GA
</TABLE>
The table below represents a summary analysis of the Fifth Third Peer Group
based on market prices as of February 25, 1999 and the latest publicly available
financial data as of or for the year ended December 31, 1998:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
MEAN MEDIAN FIFTH THIRD
------ ------ -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Price to 1998 Earnings...................... 21.6x 20.5x 33.3x
Price to Estimated 1999 Earnings............ 18.6x 17.2x 27.6x
Price to Book Value......................... 364.8% 334.1% 545.2%
Price to Tangible Book Value................ 396.3% 330.4% 617.3%
Dividend Yield.............................. 2.09% 2.15% 1.23%
Return on Average Assets.................... 1.41% 1.39% 1.85%
Return on Average Equity.................... 17.73% 17.27% 17.92%
Leverage Ratio.............................. 6.80% 6.75% 9.84%
Efficiency Ratio............................ 58.10% 57.39% 40.90%
</TABLE>
McDonald reviewed and compared actual stock market data and actual and
estimated selected financial information for Emerald with corresponding
information for 13 publicly traded Midwestern thrifts with assets between $300
million and $1.0 billion, (the "Emerald Peer Group"). The Emerald Peer Group is
listed below (ranked by asset size):
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
1. Ottawa Financial Corp. Holland, MI
2. First Defiance Financial Corp. Defiance, OH
3. First Northern Capital Corp. Green Bay, WI
4. FFY Financial Corp. Youngstown, OH
5. HF Financial Corp. Sioux Falls, SD
6. Camco Financial Corp.(*) Cambridge, OH
</TABLE>
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<PAGE> 27
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
7. Fidelity Bancorp Inc. Chicago, IL
8. First Midwest Financial Inc. Storm Lake, IA
9. PVF Capital Corp. Cleveland, OH
10. FSF Financial Corp. Hutchinson, MN
11. Ameriana Bancorp(*) New Castle, IN
12. Home Bancorp Fort Wayne, IN
13. Winton Financial Corp. Cincinnati, OH
</TABLE>
- ---------------
* Camco Financial Corp. and Ameriana Bancorp financial data as of September 30,
1998.
The following table below represents a summary analysis of the Emerald Peer
Group based on market prices as of February 25, 1999 and the latest publicly
available financial data as of or for the year ended December 31, 1998:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
MEAN MEDIAN EMERALD
---- ------ -------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Price to Last Twelve Month Earnings........... 15.1x 15.4x 22.2x
Price to Estimated 1999 Earnings.............. 14.1x 14.4x 20.8x
Price to Book Value........................... 136.8% 132.5% 300%
Price to Tangible Book Value.................. 145.1% 138.4% 303%
Dividend Yield................................ 2.46% 24.8% 1.25%
Return on Average Assets...................... .92% .95% 1.24%
Return on Average Equity...................... 9.48% 9.07% 14.8%
Leverage Ratio................................ 9.11% 9.07% 8.02%
Efficiency Ratio.............................. 56.8% 56.5% 48.6%
</TABLE>
COMPARABLE TRANSACTION ANALYSIS: McDonald reviewed and compared actual
information for groups of comparable pending and completed transactions it
deemed pertinent to an analysis of the merger, including all pending thrift
merger and/or acquisition transactions in the Midwest and nationwide as well as
all transactions completed in the Midwest since June 1, 1998 (the "Pending
Midwest Transactions," "Pending Nationwide Transactions" and "Completed Midwest
Transactions," respectively). The mean and median ratios of (1) price to last
twelve months earnings, (2) price to book value, (3) price to tangible book
value, and (4) price to assets for each group were compared to the same ratios
for the merger.
The following is a list of the Pending Midwest Transactions:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
BUYER SELLER
- ----- ------
<S> <C>
Old Kent Financial, Grand Rapids, MI CFSB Bancorp, Inc., Lansing, MI
Bremer Financial Corp., St. Paul, MN Northwest Equity, Amery, WI
Mahaska Investment, Oskaloosa, IA Midwest Bancshares Inc., Burlington,
IA
Anchor BanCorp Wisconsin, Wayzata, WI FCB Financial Corp., Oshkosh, WI
Sky Financial Group, Inc., Bowling Wood Bancorp Inc., Bowling Green, OH
Green, OH
Winton Financial Corp., Cincinnati, BenchMark Federal SB, Cincinnati, OH
OH
Republic Bancorp, Owosso, MI D&N Financial Corp., Hancock, MI
GLB Bancorp, Inc., Mentor, OH Maple Leaf Financial Inc., Newbury,
OH
Fifth Third Bancorp, Cincinnati, OH Enterprise Federal Bancorp, West
Chester, OH
FBOP Corporation, Oak Park, IL Calumet Bancorp Inc., Dolton, IL
First FSB Siouxland, Sioux City, IA Mid-Iowa Financial Corp., Newton, IA
Lutheran Brotherhood, Morris, MN Metro Community Bank FSB,
Minneapolis, MN
</TABLE>
23
<PAGE> 28
The following table represents a summary analysis of the Pending Midwest
Transactions based on the announced transaction values:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
MEAN MEDIAN EMERALD*
---- ------ --------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Price to Last Twelve Month Earnings........... 20.7x 20.0x 27.1x
Price to Book Value........................... 215% 209% 392%
Price to Tangible Book Value.................. 227% 209% 396%
Price to Assets............................... 21.2% 21.1% 32.1%
</TABLE>
- ---------------
* Emerald pricing data is based on Fifth Third share price as of February 25,
1999.
The following is a list of the Pending Nationwide Transactions:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
BUYER SELLER
- ----- ------
<S> <C>
Old Kent Financial Corp., Grand Rapids, MI CFSB Bancorp, Inc., Lansing, MI
Bremer Financial Corp., St. Paul, MN Northwest Equity, Amery, WI
Mahaska Investment, Oskaloosa, IA Midwest Bancshares Inc., Burlington, IA
HUBCO Inc., Mahwah, NJ Little Falls Bancorp, Little Falls, NJ
BSB Bancorp, Inc., Binghamton, NY Skaneateles Bancorp, Skaneateles, NY
CNB Bancorp Inc., Gloversville, NY Adirondack Financial Services, Gloversville,
NY
Anchor BanCorp Wisconsin, Wayzata, WI FCB Financial Corp., Oshkosh, WI
Sky Financial Group, Inc., Bowling Green, OH Wood Bancorp, Inc., Bowling Green, OH
Dime Bancorp, New York, NY Lakeview Financial, Paterson, NJ
First National Bank Shelby, Shelby, NC First Carolina FSB, Kings Mountain, NC
Winton Financial Corp., Cincinnati, OH BenchMark Federal SB, Cincinnati, OH
Republic Bancorp, Owosso, MI D&N Financial Corp, Hancock, MI
GLB Bancorp, Inc., Mentor, OH Maple Leaf Financial Inc., Newbury OH
Crown Group Inc., Casselberry, FL Delaware First Financial, Wilmington, DE
Temple-Inland Inc., Diboll, TX HF Bancorp Inc., Hemet, CA
Centura Banks Inc., Rocky Mount, NC First Coastal Bancshares, Virginia Beach, VA
Southwest Bancorp of Texas, Houston, TX Fort Bend Holding, Rosenberg, TX
Kearny FSB, Kearny, NJ 1st Bergen Bancorp, Wood-Ridge, NJ
Capital Bank, Raleigh, NC Home SB of Siler City, Siler City, NC
Fifth Third Bancorp, Cincinnati, OH Enterprise Federal Bancorp, West Chester, OH
United National, Bridgewater, NJ Raritan Bancorp Inc., Bridgewater, NJ
FBOP Corporation, Oak Park, IL Calumet Bancorp Inc., Dolton, IL
Greater Community, Totown, NJ First Savings Bancorp, Little Falls, NJ
Sovereign Bancorp, Wyomissing, PA Peoples Bancorp Inc., Lawrenceville, NJ
First FSB Siouxland, Sioux City, IA Mid-Iowa Financial Corp., Newton, IA
Richmond County Financial, Staten Island, NY Bayonne Bancshares, Bayonne, NJ
Lutheran Brotherhood, Morris, MN Metro Community Bank FSB, Minneapolis, MN
Central Financial Acceptance, City of Mission S & LA, FA, Riverside, CA
Commerce, CA
Union Planters Corp., Memphis, TN First Mutual Bancorp, Decatur, IL
St. Francis Capital, Milwaukee, WI Reliance Bancshares, Milwaukee, WI
Roslyn Bancorp Inc., Roslyn, NY TR Financial Corp., Garden City, NY
</TABLE>
24
<PAGE> 29
The following table represents a summary analysis of the Pending Nationwide
Transactions based on the announced transaction values:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
MEAN MEDIAN EMERALD*
---- ------ --------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Price to Last Twelve Month Earnings........... 23.3x 23.7x 27.1x
Price to Book Value........................... 197% 175% 392%
Price to Tangible Book Value.................. 208% 178% 396%
Price to Assets............................... 21.8% 20.7% 32.1%
</TABLE>
- ---------------
* Emerald pricing data based on Fifth Third share price as of February 25, 1999.
The following is a list of the Completed Midwest Transactions:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
BUYER SELLER
- ----- ------
<S> <C>
FirstMerit Corp, Akron, OH Signal Corp., Wooster, OH**
Union Planters Corp., Memphis, TN First Mutual Bancorp, Decatur, IL
St. Francis Capital, Milwaukee, WI Reliance Bancshares, Milwaukee, WI
German American Bancorp, Jasper, IN 1st Bancorp, Vincennes, IN
MAF Bancorp, Inc., Clarendon Hills, IL Westco Bancorp Inc., Westchester, IL
State Financial Services Corp, Hales Corners, WI Home Bancorp of Elgin, Elgin, IL
National City Bancshares, Evansville, IN Princeton Federal Bank FSB, Princeton, KY
Enterprise Federal Bancorp, Westchester, OH Security Savings HC, Milford, OH
Second Bancorp Inc., Warren, OH Trumbull Financial Corp., Warren, OH
FirstMerit Corp., Akron, OH Security First Corp., Mayfield Heights, OH
Charter One Financial Inc., Cleveland, OH CS Financial Corp., Cleveland, OH
Blackhawk Bancorp, Bebit, WI First Financial Bancorp Inc., Belvidere, IL
Central Bancshares Inc., Lexington, KY Pioneer Financial Corp., Winchester, KY
Commercial Federal, Omaha, NE AmerUs Bank, Des Moines, IA
Citizens Financial Services, Munster, IN SuburbFed Financial, Flossmoor, IL
Union Planters Corp., Memphis, TN Capital Savings Bancorp, Jefferson City, MO
Alliance Bancorp, Hinsdale, IL Southwest Bancshares, Hometown, IL
Southside Bancshares, St. Louis, MO Public Service Bank FSB, St. Louis, MO
Blue River Bancshares, Shelbyville, IN Shelby County Bancorp, Shelbyville, IN
Fifth Third Bancorp, Cincinnati, OH CitFed Bancorp, Inc., Dayton, OH
Fifth Third Bancorp, Cincinnati, OH State Savings Co., Columbus, OH
First State Bancshares, Farmington, MO Joachim Bancorp Inc., DeSoto, MO
</TABLE>
- ---------------
** Signal Corp. converted from a thrift to a bank holding company in 1998. All
other transactions in the list include thrift sellers.
The following table represents a summary analysis of the Completed Midwest
Transactions based on the announced transaction values:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
MEAN MEDIAN EMERALD*
----- ------ ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Last Twelve Month Earnings.................... 23.6x 23.4x 27.1x
Price to Book Value........................... 211% 194% 392%
Price to Tangible Book Value.................. 222% 196% 396%
Price to Assets............................... 24.5% 23.0% 32.1%
</TABLE>
- ---------------
* Emerald pricing data based on Fifth Third share price as of February 25,
1999.
CONTRIBUTION ANALYSIS: McDonald analyzed the contribution of Emerald and
Fifth Third to the pro forma company relative to the approximate ownership of
the pro forma company. The analysis indicated that
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<PAGE> 30
Emerald shareholders would hold approximately 1.2% of the pro forma diluted
shares. Emerald's approximate contributions to the pro forma company are listed
below by category:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EMERALD
-------
<S> <C>
Assets.......................................... 2.3%
Loans........................................... 2.8%
Deposits........................................ 2.9%
Equity.......................................... 1.7%
Tangible Equity................................. 1.9%
Last Twelve Month Earnings...................... 1.6%
1999 Estimated Earnings......................... 1.3%
2000 Estimated Earnings......................... 1.2%
</TABLE>
ACCRETION/DILUTION ANALYSIS: On the basis of financial projections and
estimates of on-going cost savings accruing to the pro forma company, as well as
estimated one-time costs related to the transaction, McDonald compared pro forma
equivalent earnings, cash dividends, book value and tangible book value to the
stand-alone projections for Emerald.
The accretion/dilution analysis demonstrated, among other things, that the
merger would result in:
- dilution to earnings per share for Emerald shareholders in 1999, because
it was assumed that closing would not occur until the fourth quarter of
1999, with less than 1% dilution in 2000, turning accretive in 2001 and
continuing over the remaining period of the analysis;
- significantly higher cash dividends per share for Emerald shareholders
over the entire period of the analysis, assuming Fifth Third maintained
its historical cash dividend policy; and
- dilution to both book value per share and tangible book value per share
for Emerald shareholders over the entire period of the analysis.
DISCOUNTED CASH FLOW ANALYSIS: McDonald performed a discounted cash flow
analysis with regard to Emerald on a stand-alone basis. This analysis utilized a
range of discount rates of 12% to 17% and a range of earnings terminal multiples
of 16.0x to 28.0x. The analysis resulted in a range of present values of $8.11
to $17.05 per share for Emerald on a stand-alone basis. As indicated above, this
analysis was based on Emerald senior management estimates and is not necessarily
indicative of actual values or actual future results and does not purport to
reflect the prices at which any securities may trade at the present or at any
time in the future. McDonald noted that the discounted cash flow analysis was
included because it is a widely used valuation methodology, but noted that the
results of such methodology are highly dependent upon the numerous assumptions
that must be made, including earnings growth rates, dividend payout rates,
terminal values and discount rates.
OTHER ANALYSES: McDonald also reviewed certain other information including
pro forma estimated balance sheet composition and pro forma financial
performance.
NO OTHER COMPANY USED AS A COMPARISON IN THE ABOVE ANALYSES IS IDENTICAL TO
EMERALD, FIFTH THIRD OR THE COMBINED ENTITY AND NO OTHER TRANSACTION IS
IDENTICAL TO THE MERGER. ACCORDINGLY, AN ANALYSIS OF THE RESULTS OF THE
FOREGOING IS NOT PURELY MATHEMATICAL; RATHER, SUCH ANALYSES INVOLVES COMPLEX
CONSIDERATIONS AND JUDGEMENTS CONCERNING DIFFERENCES IN FINANCIAL MARKET AND
OPERATING CHARACTERISTICS OF THE COMPANIES AND OTHER FACTORS THAT COULD AFFECT
THE PUBLIC TRADING VOLUME OF THE COMPANIES TO WHICH EMERALD, FIFTH THIRD AND THE
COMBINED ENTITY ARE BEING COMPARED.
IN CONNECTION WITH RENDERING THE MCDONALD OPINION, MCDONALD PERFORMED
PROCEDURES TO UPDATE, AS NECESSARY, CERTAIN OF THE ANALYSES DESCRIBED ABOVE AND
REVIEWED THE ASSUMPTIONS ON WHICH SUCH ANALYSES DESCRIBED ABOVE WERE BASED AND
THE FACTORS CONSIDERED IN CONNECTION THEREWITH. MCDONALD DID NOT PERFORM ANY
ANALYSES IN ADDITION TO THOSE DESCRIBED ABOVE IN CONNECTION WITH RENDERING THE
MCDONALD OPINION.
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<PAGE> 31
McDonald has in the past provided certain other financial services to
Emerald and has received compensation for such services. McDonald is a member of
all principal securities exchanges in the United States and in the conduct of
its broker-dealer activities has from time to time purchased securities from,
and sold securities to, Emerald and/or Fifth Third. As a market maker McDonald
may also have purchased and sold the securities of Emerald and/or Fifth Third
for McDonald's own account and for the accounts of its customers.
Emerald paid McDonald a $100,000 retainer at the time it was engaged to
serve as Emerald's financial advisor and a $100,000 fee for its services in
rendering the fairness opinion on February 27, 1999. Emerald also has agreed to
pay McDonald a transaction fee equal to the percentage of the value received by
Emerald's shareholders in the merger, determined by reference to the closing
sales prices of Fifth Third common stock for a specified period prior to the
closing. Under no circumstances will McDonald's transaction fee be less than
0.9% or greater than 1.1% of the value received by Emerald's shareholders, as
determined in accordance with McDonald's engagement agreement. The entire amount
of this transaction fee is contingent upon consummation of the merger. Fees
previously paid to McDonald by Emerald in connection with its engagement will be
credited against the amount of the transaction fee payable to McDonald at
closing. Assuming that the transaction had closed on , 1999, the
amount of the total fee payable to McDonald would have been approximately $
million. Emerald has also agreed to reimburse McDonald for up to $5,000 in
reasonable out of pocket expenses incurred in connection with its engagement,
and to indemnify McDonald against certain liabilities, including liabilities
under the federal securities laws.
FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES
Fifth Third and Emerald will receive an opinion from Graydon, Head &
Ritchey that for federal income tax purposes the merger will constitute a
reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a)(1)(A) of the Internal
Revenue Code.
In rendering its opinion, Graydon, Head & Ritchey will rely upon
representations contained in letters from Fifth Third and Emerald delivered for
purposes of the opinion. The opinion of Graydon, Head & Ritchey will also be
based on the assumption that the merger will be completed in accordance with the
provisions of the affiliation agreement, that the merger will qualify as a
statutory merger under state law and that the representations made by Fifth
Third and Emerald in the affiliation agreement are accurate. An opinion of
counsel only represents counsel's best legal judgment on the matters addressed
in the opinion, and has no binding effect or official status of any kind, and no
assurance can be given that contrary positions may not be taken by the Internal
Revenue Service or a court considering the issues. Neither Fifth Third nor
Emerald has requested or will request a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service
with regard to any of the federal income tax consequences of the merger.
Provided that the merger constitutes a reorganization within the meaning of
Section 368(a)(1)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code, for federal income tax
purposes:
- no gain or loss will be recognized by Emerald as a result of the merger;
- no gain or loss will be recognized by Fifth Third as a result of the
merger;
- no gain or loss will be recognized by a shareholder of Emerald who
receives solely Fifth Third common stock in exchange for Emerald common
stock pursuant to the terms of the affiliation agreement, except to the
extent of any cash received for any fractional share interest in Fifth
Third common stock to which the shareholder may be entitled;
- the aggregate federal income tax basis of the Fifth Third common stock
received by an Emerald shareholder who receives solely Fifth Third common
stock in exchange for Emerald common stock pursuant to the terms of the
affiliation agreement will be, in each instance, the same as the
aggregate federal income tax basis of the Emerald common stock
surrendered in exchange therefor, reduced by any amount allocated to a
fractional share of Fifth Third common stock with respect to which cash
is received;
27
<PAGE> 32
- the holding period of the Fifth Third common stock received (including
any fractional share deemed received) by an Emerald shareholder will
include, in each case, the period during which the Emerald common stock
surrendered in exchange therefor was held, provided that the Emerald
common stock was held as a capital asset by the shareholder on the date
of the exchange;
- a holder of Emerald common stock who receives cash in lieu of a
fractional share of Fifth Third common stock will, in general, recognize
capital gain under Section 302 of the Internal Revenue Code on the excess
of the amount received for the fractional share over the shareholder's
adjusted basis in the fractional share; and
- an Emerald shareholder who perfects dissenters' rights with respect to
such person's shares of Emerald common stock will, in general, recognize
capital gain under Section 302 of the Internal Revenue Code on the excess
of the amount received for perfecting dissenters' right over the
shareholder's adjusted basis in their Emerald shares.
The foregoing discussion is intended only as a summary of the material
federal income tax consequences of the merger. The foregoing discussion does not
address the tax consequences that may be relevant to particular taxpayers in
light of their personal circumstances (for example, individuals who receive
Fifth Third common stock in exchange for Emerald common stock acquired as a
result of the exercise of employee stock options or otherwise as compensation)
or to taxpayers subject to special treatment under the Internal Revenue Code
(for example, insurance companies, financial institutions, dealers in
securities, tax-exempt organizations, foreign corporations, foreign
partnerships, or other foreign entities and individuals who are not citizens or
residents of the United States).
No information is provided herein with respect to the tax consequences, if
any, of the merger under applicable state, local, foreign, and other tax laws.
The foregoing discussion is based upon the provisions of the Internal Revenue
Code, applicable Treasury regulations thereunder, Internal Revenue Service
rulings, and judicial decisions as in effect as of the date of this document.
There can be no assurance that future legislative, administrative, or judicial
changes or interpretations will not affect the accuracy of the statements or
conclusions set forth herein. Any such change could apply retroactively and
could affect the accuracy of this discussion.
You are urged to consult your own tax advisor as to the specific tax
consequences to you of the merger, including the application of federal, state,
local, foreign and other tax laws.
ACCOUNTING TREATMENT
The merger is intended to qualify for pooling-of-interests accounting
treatment. Under pooling-of-interests accounting treatment, as of the effective
time of the merger, the assets and liabilities of Emerald will be added to those
of Fifth Third at their recorded book values and the shareholders' equity
account of Emerald will be included on Fifth Third's consolidated balance sheet.
RESALE OF FIFTH THIRD COMMON STOCK BY AFFILIATES
The shares of Fifth Third common stock to be issued to shareholders of
Emerald in connection with the merger will be registered under the Securities
Act of 1933 and will be freely transferable under the Securities Act, except for
shares issued to any shareholder who may be deemed to be an "affiliate" of
Emerald or Fifth Third at the time of the shareholder meetings. Generally, an
affiliate includes a director, an executive officer or a 10% or more shareholder
at the time of the special meeting.
Rule 145 under the Securities Act restricts the sale of Fifth Third common
stock received in the merger by affiliates. During the first year following the
effective time of the merger, affiliates of Emerald who do not become affiliates
of Fifth Third may resell the Fifth Third common stock received by them in
connection with the merger upon compliance with the following conditions of Rule
144:
- Fifth Third must have satisfied its reporting requirements under the
Exchange Act for the 12 months preceding the proposed sale;
28
<PAGE> 33
- the number of shares sold in any three month period is limited to the
greater of (1) one percent of Fifth Third's shares outstanding or (2) the
average weekly trading volume during the four calendar weeks preceding
the sale; and
- the shares must be sold by a broker in a routine open market transaction
that does not involve the solicitation of orders for purchase.
Shares of Fifth Third common stock sold by (1) an affiliate's spouse or
relative living in the affiliate's household, or (2) any trust or estate in
which the affiliate or person listed in (1) collectively owns ten percent or
more of the beneficial interest or of which any of these persons serves as
trustee or executor, or (3) any corporation in which the affiliate or any person
specified in (1) beneficially owns at least ten percent of an equity interest,
will be aggregated with the number of shares sold by the affiliate for purposes
of determining whether the volume limitations of Rule 144 are exceeded.
After the one-year period, affiliates of Emerald who are not affiliates of
Fifth Third may resell their shares without regard to the volume limitation or
manner of sale requirement so long as Fifth Third has satisfied its reporting
requirements under the Exchange Act during the prior twelve-month period.
If Fifth Third has not satisfied its reporting requirements, affiliates may
not resell their shares of Fifth Third common stock received in the merger until
two years have elapsed since completion of the merger. At that time, the shares
may be sold without any restriction.
Sales and other dispositions of Fifth Third common stock by any affiliate
of Emerald who becomes an affiliate of Fifth Third in connection with the merger
must be made in compliance with the requirements of Rule 144 set forth above
until such person has not been an affiliate of Fifth Third for at least three
months and a period of at least two years has elapsed since the date the shares
were acquired in connection with the merger.
Even if the shares are sold, pledged or donated in compliance with Rule
145, the shares will remain subject to Rule 145 in the hands of the recipient
until the restrictive period applicable to the affiliate transferor have
expired.
The affiliation agreement provides that Emerald will use its best efforts
to cause each director, executive officer and other person who is deemed by
Emerald to be an affiliate (for purposes of Rule 145 and for purposes of
qualifying the merger for pooling-of-interests accounting treatment) of Emerald
to execute and deliver to Fifth Third a written agreement intended to ensure
compliance with the Securities Act and to ensure that the merger will qualify as
a pooling-of-interests. Under that agreement, affiliates of Emerald may not
dispose of any shares received in the merger during the period beginning 30 days
before the effective time of the merger and ending when financial results
covering at least 30 days of post-merger operations of Fifth Third have been
published.
DISSENTERS' RIGHTS OF APPRAISAL
You are entitled to relief as a dissenting shareholder under Ohio Revised
Code Section 1701.85 only if you comply strictly with all of the procedural and
other requirements of Section 1701.85, a copy of which is attached hereto as
Annex C. The following is a description of the material terms of Section
1701.85.
An Emerald shareholder who wishes to perfect his rights as a dissenting
shareholder in the event the affiliation agreement is approved and adopted:
- must be a record holder of the shares of Emerald common stock as to which
he seeks relief on the record date;
- must not vote his shares of Emerald common stock in favor of approval and
adoption of the affiliation agreement; and
- must deliver to Emerald, not later than ten days after the annual
meeting, a written demand for payment of the fair cash value of the
shares as to which he seeks relief. The written demand must
29
<PAGE> 34
state the name of the shareholder, his address, the number of shares as
to which he seeks relief and the amount claimed as the fair cash value
for those shares.
Voting against the approval and adoption of the affiliation agreement will
not satisfy the requirements of a written demand for payment. Any written demand
for payment should be mailed or delivered to: Paula M. Dewey, Corporate
Secretary, Emerald Financial Corp., 14092 Pearl Road, Strongsville, Ohio 44136.
As the written demand must be delivered to Emerald within the ten-day period
following the annual meeting, we recommend that a dissenting shareholder use
certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, to confirm that he has
made a timely delivery.
If Emerald sends the dissenting shareholder, at the address specified in
his demand, a request for the certificate(s) representing his shares, the
dissenting shareholder must deliver the certificate(s) to Emerald within 15 days
of the date Emerald sent the request. Emerald may endorse the certificate(s)
with a legend to the effect that the shareholder has demanded the fair cash
value of the shares represented by the certificate(s). If the shareholder fails
to deliver the certificate(s) within 15 days of the request, Emerald may
terminate his right to dissent. Emerald must notify the shareholder of its
election to terminate his rights as a dissenting shareholder within 20 days
after the lapse of the 15-day period.
If the dissenting shareholder and Emerald cannot agree on the fair cash
value per share of the shares of Emerald common stock, either may, within three
months after the service of the written demand by the shareholder, file a
petition in the Court of Common Pleas of Cuyahoga County, Ohio. If the court
finds that the shareholder is entitled to be paid the fair cash value of any
shares, the court may appoint one or more appraisers to receive evidence and to
recommend a decision on the amount of the fair cash value.
The fair cash value of a share of Emerald common stock to which a
dissenting shareholder is entitled under Section 1701.85 will be determined as
of the day prior to the special meeting. Fair cash value will be computed as the
amount a willing seller and willing buyer would accept or pay if neither was
compelled to sell or buy, excluding any appreciation or depreciation in market
value resulting from the merger. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the fair cash
value may not exceed the amount specified in the shareholder's written demand.
The court will make a finding as to the fair cash value of a share and render
judgment against Emerald for its payment with interest at such rate and from
such date as the court considers equitable. The court will assess or apportion
the costs of the proceedings as it considers equitable.
The rights of any dissenting shareholder will terminate if:
- the dissenting shareholder has not complied with Section 1701.85, unless
Emerald, by its board of directors, waives this failure;
- Emerald abandons or is finally enjoined or prevented from carrying out,
or the shareholders of Emerald rescind their adoption of, the affiliation
agreement;
- the dissenting shareholder withdraws his written demand with the consent
of Emerald, by its board of directors; or
- Emerald and the dissenting shareholder have not agreed upon the fair cash
value per share of the Emerald common stock and neither has timely filed
or joined in a petition in an appropriate court for a determination of
the fair cash value of the shares.
Because a BLUE proxy card which does not contain voting instructions will
be voted for approval of the affiliation agreement, a shareholder who wishes to
exercise dissenters' rights must either (1) not sign and return the BLUE proxy
card or, (2) sign and return the BLUE proxy card, and vote against or abstain
from voting on the approval of the affiliation agreement. The WHITE proxy card
is for voting on the control share acquisition by Fifth Third of more than a
majority of the voting power of Emerald at the special meeting. A vote or
failure to vote on the WHITE proxy card will not affect your ability to exercise
dissenters' rights.
In connection with the execution of the affiliation agreement, Mrs. Joan M.
Dzurilla, a director of Emerald who holds approximately 2,464,740 shares or
22.5% of the Emerald common stock, executed a Shareholder Support Agreement with
Fifth Third to vote her shares of Emerald common stock in favor of the
30
<PAGE> 35
affiliation agreement and the merger and has waived all rights under the Ohio
Revised Code available to her to demand appraisal of her shares of Emerald
common stock.
For a discussion of the tax consequences to a shareholder who exercises
dissenters' rights, see "Proposal -- Merger of Emerald into Fifth Third- Federal
Income Tax Consequences."
TERMS OF THE AFFILIATION AGREEMENT
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
Fifth Third and Emerald have made numerous representations and warranties
to each other relating to, among other things, the following:
- their incorporation, good standing, corporate power and similar corporate
matters;
- their capitalization;
- their authorization, execution, delivery and performance and the
enforceability of the affiliation agreement and the absence of
violations;
- compliance with laws and regulations;
- the absence of material changes since December 31, 1998; and
- their financial statements.
The affiliation agreement also contains representations and warranties of
Emerald relating to employee benefit matters and the absence of undisclosed
liabilities and a representation and warranty by Fifth Third that it has enough
authorized Fifth Third common stock to accomplish the merger.
No representations or warranties made by either Emerald or Fifth Third will
survive beyond the effective time of the merger.
CONDUCT PENDING MERGER
Except with the prior approval of Fifth Third or as necessary to permit the
directors of Emerald to exercise their fiduciary duties, the affiliation
agreement provides that Emerald and its representatives will not directly or
indirectly, initiate, solicit, negotiate with, encourage discussions with,
provide information to, or agree to a transaction with, any corporation,
partnership, person or other entity or group concerning any of the following
"Acquisition Transactions":
- any merger of either Emerald or The Strongsville Savings Bank;
- any sale of substantial assets, sale of shares of capital stock or
securities convertible or exchangeable into or otherwise evidencing, or
any agreement or instrument evidencing, the right to acquire capital
stock; or
- any similar transaction involving Emerald or The Strongsville Savings
Bank.
Emerald promptly shall communicate to Fifth Third the terms of any proposal
which it may receive in respect of an Acquisition Transaction and any request by
or indication of interest on the part of any third party with respect to
initiation of any Acquisition Transaction or discussions with respect thereto.
In addition, Emerald has agreed that prior to the effective time of the
merger, Emerald will carry on its business in the ordinary course and will give
Fifth Third and Fifth Third's representatives reasonable access during business
hours to its books, records and properties. In addition without Fifth Third's
prior written
31
<PAGE> 36
consent, neither Emerald nor The Strongsville Savings Bank will, among other
things (except for certain construction and improvement projects):
- make any changes in its capital or corporate structures;
- issue any additional shares of Emerald common stock or any other equity
securities other than pursuant to the exercise of options granted prior
to the date of the affiliation agreement;
- issue as borrower any long-term debt or convertible or other securities
of any kind, or right to acquire any of its securities;
- make any material changes in its method of business operations;
- make, enter into any agreement to make, or become obligated to make any
capital expenditures in excess of $25,000;
- make, or enter into any agreement to make, or renew any agreement for
services to be provided to Emerald or The Strongsville Savings Bank, or
permit the automatic renewal of any such agreement, other than certain
scheduled agreements, except any agreement for services having a term of
not more than three months or requiring the expenditure of not more than
$25,000;
- other than certain disclosed agreements, with respect to Emerald only,
declare or pay any cash dividends on its stock other than normal and
customary dividends per quarter paid consistent with past practices,
which shall not exceed $.05 per share or be paid more frequently than
once per calendar quarter;
- pay any stock dividends or make any other distributions on its stock;
- change or otherwise amend any benefit plans other than as required by law
or as contemplated in the affiliation agreement;
- provide any increases in employee salaries or benefits other than in the
ordinary course of business;
- open for business any branch office which has been approved by the
appropriate regulatory authorities but not yet opened or apply to the
appropriate regulatory authorities to establish a new branch office or
expand any existing branch office, except for the applications for the
proposed Northfield and Medina branch offices (which have been approved);
- acquire, become obligated to acquire, or enter into any agreement to
acquire, any banking or non-banking company or any branch offices of any
such companies; or
- sell or otherwise dispose of or encumber any portion of shares of the
capital stock of The Strongsville Savings Bank which are now owned by
Emerald.
CONDITIONS TO CLOSING
The affiliation agreement must be approved by the affirmative vote of
holders of at least two-thirds of the outstanding shares of Emerald common
stock. In order for the merger to be completed, the control share acquisition by
Fifth Third of Emerald must also be approved by: (1) a majority of the shares of
Emerald common stock represented in person or by proxy at the separate special
meeting, and (2) a majority of the shares of Emerald common stock represented in
person or by proxy at the separate special meeting, excluding any shares of
Emerald common stock owned by any executive officer of Emerald or any director
of Emerald who is also an employee of Emerald. The merger also must be approved
in writing by the Federal Reserve Board and the Ohio Division of Financial
Institutions, applications for which have been filed. No assurance can be given
that the required governmental approvals will be forthcoming.
Fifth Third's and Emerald's obligations to complete the merger are subject
to additional conditions set forth in the affiliation agreement. These include
the absence at the effective time of the merger of any material actions,
proceedings or investigations of any kind pending or threatened with respect to
the
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transactions contemplated by the affiliation agreement and both institutions
having performed all of the obligations required of them under the affiliation
agreement.
Fifth Third's obligation to complete the merger is further subject to
conditions set forth in the affiliation agreement, including:
- the continuing truth and accuracy in all material respects of all of the
representations and warranties of Emerald;
- delivery by Emerald's counsel of a legal opinion addressed to Fifth Third
relating to Emerald's incorporation, good standing, corporate power and
authority to enter into the affiliation agreement;
- the aggregate amount of consolidated shareholders' equity of Emerald
immediately prior to the effective time of the merger, as shown by and
reflected on its books and records of accounts on a consolidated basis in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles consistently
applied, being not less than $54,784,000; and
- the total issued and outstanding shares of Emerald common stock not
exceeding 11,449,963 shares.
In addition, Fifth Third's obligation to complete the merger is subject to
the receipt of noncompetition agreements executed by each of the current
directors of Emerald. Pursuant to these agreements, the Emerald directors will
be prohibited from engaging in any retail banking or commercial deposit or
lending business, asset management and all other services which are customarily
provided by banks or which are otherwise provided by Fifth Third or its
affiliates in the states of Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, Florida or Arizona for a
period beginning on the effective date of the merger and ending on the earlier
of three years commencing at the effective time of the merger or two years after
the removal of the director from the board of directors.
Emerald's obligation to complete the merger is further subject to
conditions set forth in the affiliation agreement, including:
- the continuing truth and accuracy in all material respects of Fifth
Third's representations and warranties;
- delivery by counsel employed by Fifth Third of a legal opinion addressed
to Emerald relating to Fifth Third's incorporation, good standing,
corporate power and authority to enter into the affiliation agreement and
the validity and registration of the shares of Fifth Third common stock
to be issued to Emerald shareholders;
- registration by Fifth Third of the shares of Fifth Third common stock to
be issued to Emerald shareholders and listing of those shares on the
Nasdaq National Market;
- the execution and delivery by Fifth Third Bank, Northwestern Ohio, N.A.
of employment contracts with Thomas P. Perciak and John F. Ziegler and
Fifth Third having provided or made provisions for payment of severance
payments to certain employees of Emerald;
- the receipt by Fifth Third and Emerald of an opinion from Graydon, Head &
Ritchey that, on the basis of the facts, representations and assumptions
set forth in the opinion, the merger will qualify as a reorganization as
described in Section 368(a) of the Internal Revenue Code; and
- the receipt by Fifth Third and Emerald of a letter from each of the
respective independent public accountants to the effect that the merger
will qualify for pooling-of-interests accounting treatment.
TERMINATION; AMENDMENT; WAIVER
The affiliation agreement may be terminated and the merger abandoned at any
time prior to the effective time of the merger by written notice delivered by
Fifth Third to Emerald or by Emerald to Fifth Third in the following instances:
- if there has been a material misrepresentation, a material breach of
warranty or a material failure to comply with any covenant on the part of
the other party with respect to the representations, warranties
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and covenants set forth in the affiliation agreement and that
misrepresentation, breach or failure to comply has not been cured within
30 days after notice, provided the party in default has no right to
terminate for its own default;
- if the business or assets or financial condition of the other party have
materially and adversely changed from that in existence at December 31,
1998;
- if the merger has not been completed by October 31, 1999, provided the
terminating party is not in material breach or default of any
representation, warranty or covenant contained in the affiliation
agreement on the date of the termination;
- by the mutual written consent of Fifth Third and Emerald;
- automatically if Emerald's shareholders fail to approve and adopt the
affiliation agreement;
- if any event occurs which renders impossible the satisfaction in any
material respect one or more of the conditions to the obligations of the
other party to effect the merger, and non-compliance is not waived by the
unaffected party; or
- by Emerald if the average closing price of Fifth Third common stock for
the 30 trading days ending five trading days before the effective time of
the merger is less than $45.00 per share or by Fifth Third if the average
closing price of Fifth Third common stock for the 30 trading days ending
five trading days before the effective time of the merger is greater than
$85.00 per share.
The affiliation agreement may be amended, modified or supplemented by the
written agreement of each of the parties, upon the authorization of each
company's respective board of directors at any time before or after approval of
the merger by Emerald's shareholders. Approval of any amendment, modification or
supplement by Emerald's shareholders is not required unless this action would
adversely change the consideration to be provided to Emerald's shareholders
pursuant to the affiliation agreement.
INTERESTS OF CERTAIN PERSONS IN THE MERGER
Shares of Emerald common stock held by or for the benefit of directors and
executive officers of Emerald will be canceled and converted into the right to
receive shares of Fifth Third common stock on the same basis as shares held by
other shareholders of Emerald. In addition, directors and executive officers of
Emerald may be deemed to have the following interests in the merger that are
different from, or in addition to, those of shareholders of Emerald.
EMERALD EMPLOYMENT AND SEVERANCE AGREEMENT PAYMENTS. Emerald has employment
agreements with Thomas P. Perciak, Emerald's President and Chief Executive
Officer, and John F. Ziegler, Emerald's Executive Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer. Fifth Third has agreed in the affiliation agreement to honor
the change-in-control provisions of these employment agreements and to pay to
them at the effective time of the merger the change-in-control payments
specified therein, except to the extent any such payment would constitute an
"excess parachute payment" under sec.280(G) of the Internal Revenue Code.
Accordingly, Mr. Perciak expects to receive a change-in-control payment of
approximately $ under his employment agreement, and Mr. Ziegler expects to
receive a change-in-control payment of approximately $235,000 under his
employment agreement.
Eight officers of The Strongsville Savings Bank, three of whom are also
officers of Emerald, have severance agreements. Each severance agreement
provides that in the event of the involuntary termination of the executive other
than for cause or the executive's voluntary termination for good reason within
six months after a change in control, the executive would receive a lump sum
payment equal to the executive's annual base salary, plus the continuation of
benefits until the earlier of the executive's employment by another employer or
the expiration of twelve months from the executive's date of termination.
Although some or all of these officers are expected to continue to serve as
officers or employees of Fifth Third Bank, Northwestern Ohio, N.A. after the
merger, Fifth Third has agreed to honor the change-in-control provisions of
these severance agreements and to pay them at the effective time of the merger,
except to the extent any such payment would constitute an "excess parachute
payment" under sec.280(G) of the Internal Revenue Code. The
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aggregate amount of all severance payments under these agreements will be
approximately $657,400. William J. Harr, Jr., Emerald's Vice President, will
receive approximately $115,500, Paula M. Dewey, Emerald's Secretary and Vice
President, will receive approximately $90,700, and Cynthia W. Gannon, Emerald's
Treasurer and Vice President, will receive approximately $82,300. See "Election
of Emerald Directors -- Executive Compensation -- Employment Agreements" and "--
Change-in-Control Arrangements -- Severance Agreements."
RETENTION BONUSES. The affiliation agreement allows Emerald to pay
retention bonuses to certain employees of The Strongsville Savings Bank who are
not officers or directors. These payments will total $177,615 and are payable at
the effective time of the merger. Additionally, Mr. Perciak will be paid a
$115,000 retention bonus by Fifth Third at the effective date of the merger if
he remains employed by The Strongsville Savings Bank at that time.
EXECUTIVE SUPPLEMENTAL BENEFIT PLANS. Five of Emerald's officers and five
officers of The Strongsville Savings Bank have Executive Supplemental Benefit
Plans which provide for payments upon retirement, death or disability. These
agreements also provide for an acceleration of these benefits on a change in
control of Emerald, which would be paid if the officer is terminated without
cause or leaves employment for good reason after the change in control.
In the affiliation agreement, Fifth Third agreed that it would assume the
obligations of Emerald and The Strongsville Savings Bank under Mr. Perciak's and
Mr. Ziegler's Executive Supplemental Benefit Plans, but the merger will not
cause the acceleration of the benefits payable to them under these plans.
Payments for a subsequent change in control, retirement, death or disability may
be owed under these agreements in the future. If the merger would have triggered
the change-in-control provisions of these agreements, Mr. Perciak would have
received approximately $1,169,097 and Mr. Ziegler would have received
approximately $361,093.
The merger will accelerate the benefits payable to the other officers,
including Mr. Harr, Mrs. Gannon, and Mrs. Dewey. If payments are to be made to
these individuals in 1999, they would total approximately $144,000, and Mr. Harr
would receive $18,701, Mrs. Gannon would receive $6,637 and Mrs. Dewey would
receive $59,729. For more information regarding the Executive Supplemental
Benefit Plans, see "Election of Emerald Directors- Executive Compensation-
Retirement Plan Information."
STOCK OPTIONS. Upon the approval of the affiliation agreement by the
Emerald shareholders, all outstanding options to purchase Emerald common stock
will become fully exercisable, including 67,500 options held by Mr. Perciak,
67,500 options held by Mr. Ziegler, 12,500 options held by Mr. Harr, 12,500
options held by Mrs. Gannon and 12,500 options held by Mrs. Dewey.
At the effective time of the merger, all outstanding awards, options or
other rights to purchase Emerald common stock under Emerald's 1994 Long Term
Incentive Plan and 1998 Stock Option and Incentive Plan will be converted into
options to purchase Fifth Third common stock. The number of shares subject to
stock options will be adjusted to allow the holder, upon exercise, to receive
shares of Fifth Third common stock calculated by multiplying the exchange ratio
by the number of shares of Emerald common stock subject to the Emerald stock
options, and the exercise price of the Emerald stock options will be adjusted by
dividing the exercise price per share by the exchange ratio.
For more information regarding stock options held by executive officers of
Emerald, also see "Election of Emerald Directors -- Executive
Compensation -- Stock Options."
FIFTH THIRD EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS. In the affiliation agreement, Fifth
Third agreed to enter into employment agreements with Thomas P. Perciak and John
F. Ziegler. Each employment agreement is for a term of three years after the
effective time of the merger.
Mr. Perciak will be employed as an executive vice president of Fifth Third
Bank, Northwestern Ohio, N.A. His employment agreement provides for annual base
salaries of $366,700 in the first year, $383,800 in the second year and $401,500
in the third year. Mr. Perciak is also eligible to receive bonuses of up to 65%
of his base salary for each year. Upon Mr. Perciak's death, total disability,
termination (other than for good cause) or resignation for a good reason, he
will receive his base salary for the remaining term of his contract
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plus the pro rata amount of his bonus for that year. Mr. Perciak's employment
agreement also provides that the merger will not constitute a change-in-control
under his split-dollar insurance agreement and that Fifth Third will continue to
pay the premiums due under his split-dollar insurance policy, regardless of
whether or not he continues to be employed by Fifth Third. Fifth Third has also
agreed to make a determination of whether it will continue Mr. Perciak's key-man
life insurance policy within six months after the effective time of the merger
and if it decides to not continue it, to grant Mr. Perciak a right of first
refusal to purchase this policy from Fifth Third for the interpolated terminal
reserve value of the policy.
Mr. Ziegler will be employed as a vice president of Fifth Third Bank,
Northwestern Ohio, N.A. His employment agreement provides for annual base
salaries of $213,800 in the first year, $224,200 in the second year and $237,500
in the third year. Mr. Ziegler is also eligible to receive bonuses of up to 65%
of his base salary for each year. Upon Mr. Ziegler's death, total disability,
termination (other than for good cause) or resignation for a good reason, he
will receive two-thirds of his base salary for the remaining term of his
contract plus the pro rata amount of his bonus for that year. Mr. Ziegler's
employment agreement also provides that the merger will not constitute a
change-in-control under his split-dollar insurance agreement and that Fifth
Third will continue to pay the premiums due under his split-dollar insurance
policy, regardless of whether or not he continues to be employed by Fifth Third.
Fifth Third has also agreed to make a determination of whether it will continue
Mr. Ziegler's key-man life insurance policy within six months after the
effective time of the merger and if it decides to not continue it, to grant Mr.
Ziegler a right of first refusal to purchase this policy from Fifth Third for
the interpolated terminal reserve value of the policy.
BOARD MEMBER COMPENSATION. Messrs. Perciak, Piechowski and Kalinich will be
appointed to the Cleveland board of directors of Fifth Third Bank, Northwestern
Ohio, N.A. Messrs. Piechowski and Kalinich, as non-employee directors, will
receive the same remuneration as the other non-employee directors for their
service, which generally includes fees for meeting attendance and stock options.
INDEMNIFICATION AND LIABILITY INSURANCE. The affiliation agreement provides
that all provisions for indemnification and limitation of liability now existing
in favor of the directors or officers of Emerald and The Strongsville Savings
Bank, arising under applicable Ohio and federal law and under the Emerald
articles of incorporation and code of regulations, or under the articles of
incorporation or code of regulations of The Strongsville Savings Bank, shall be
assumed by Fifth Third and shall continue in full force and effect with respect
to acts or omissions occurring on or prior to the effective time of the merger
for a period of three years after the effective time of the merger or, in the
case of claims asserted prior to the third anniversary of the effective time of
the merger until such matters are resolved. Fifth Third also shall purchase and
keep in force for a three-year period, a policy of directors' and officers'
liability insurance having liability limits and providing coverage for acts or
omissions of the type currently covered by Emerald's existing directors' and
officers' liability insurance for acts or omissions occurring at or prior to the
effective time of the merger, but only to the extent that this insurance may be
purchased or kept in full force on commercially reasonable terms. Fifth Third
and Emerald have agreed that these costs shall be commercially reasonable so
long as they do not exceed 150% of the annual costs currently paid for such
coverage by Emerald. Fifth Third has agreed that all rights to indemnification
existing in favor of officers and directors and employees of Fifth Third
affiliates shall be accorded to officers and directors and employees of Emerald
or any of its subsidiaries who become affiliated with any Fifth Third affiliate
in such capacities after the effective time of the merger and that this
indemnification will relate to covered actions or inactions only after the
effective time of the merger. See also "Description of Capital Stock and
Comparative Rights of Shareholders -- Indemnification and Personal Liability of
Directors and Officers."
EFFECT ON EMERALD EMPLOYEES
EMPLOYMENT. Fifth Third shall consider employing as many of the employees
of Emerald and The Strongsville Savings Bank who desire employment within the
Fifth Third holding company system as possible, to the extent of available
positions and consistent with Fifth Third's standard staffing levels and
personnel policies.
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EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS. Each employee of Emerald and The Strongsville
Savings Bank who becomes an employee of Fifth Third or any of its subsidiaries
or affiliates at or immediately subsequent to the merger, including the
executive officers of Emerald, shall be entitled to participate in all employee
benefit plans sponsored by Fifth Third or its subsidiaries or affiliates on the
same terms and to the same extent as similarly situated employees of Fifth
Third. The former Emerald employees will not be subject to any exclusion or
penalty for pre-existing conditions that were covered under The Strongsville
Savings Bank's medical plan immediately prior to the effective time of the
merger or any waiting period relating to coverage under Fifth Third's medical
plan.
401(K) PLAN. The affiliation agreement also provides that Emerald will take
all actions necessary to discontinue any and all contributions under any
employee pension benefit plan (as defined in Section 3(2) of ERISA) as of a date
not later than 30 days prior to the effective time of the merger. Provided that
The Strongsville Savings Bank Profit Sharing Plan is first amended in a manner
approved in advance by Fifth Third to provide for the allocation of the
contribution for the period prior to the effective time of the merger, Emerald
and The Strongsville Savings Bank have the right to make discretionary
contributions to the Profit Sharing Plan with respect to the 1999 plan year, but
these contributions are not to exceed $270,000. In addition, Emerald and The
Strongsville Savings Bank are entitled to continue to make employer
contributions to the Profit Sharing Plan so long as these contributions are
required by the plan and are consistent with prior levels and rates of employer
contributions. For information regarding the Profit Sharing Plan, see "Election
of Emerald Directors -- Executive Compensation -- Retirement Plan Information."
BONUSES. The affiliation agreement allows Emerald to pay the normal bonuses
which would otherwise be received by employees of Emerald had Emerald not
entered into the affiliation agreement with Fifth Third. These payments include
bonuses to officers which are expected to be approximately $293,700, Christmas
bonuses totaling approximately $80,000, and officer and branch manager bonuses
totaling approximately $95,000.
SEVERANCE. The affiliation agreement provides for the payment of severance
amounts to employees of Emerald who do not have an employment or severance
agreement under certain conditions upon termination of employment or specific
other circumstances. In the case of officers of Emerald or The Strongsville
Savings Bank, those amounts will be equal to two weeks of pay for each year of
service up to a maximum of 12 weeks of pay. In the case of all other employees,
the amounts will be equal to two weeks of pay for each year of service up to a
maximum of 8 weeks of pay.
FIFTH THIRD BANCORP
DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS
Fifth Third is an Ohio corporation organized in 1975 as a bank holding
company registered under the Bank Holding Company Act and subject to regulation
by the Federal Reserve Board. Fifth Third, with its principal office located in
Cincinnati, is a multi-bank holding company that owns all of the outstanding
stock of nine commercial banks and one savings bank with 471 offices in Ohio,
Kentucky, Indiana, Michigan, Florida and Arizona. Those institutions are: Fifth
Third Bank; Fifth Third Bank, Central Ohio; Fifth Third Bank, Northwestern Ohio,
N.A.; Fifth Third Bank, Ohio Valley; Fifth Third Bank, Western Ohio; Fifth Third
Bank, Florida; Fifth Third Bank, Northern Kentucky, Inc.; Fifth Third Bank,
Kentucky, Inc.; Fifth Third Bank, Indiana; and Fifth Third Bank, Southwest,
F.S.B.
At March 31, 1999, Fifth Third, its affiliated banks and other subsidiaries
had consolidated total assets of $ billion, consolidated total
deposits of $ billion and consolidated total shareholders' equity
of approximately $ billion.
Fifth Third, through its subsidiaries, engages primarily in commercial,
retail and trust banking, investment services and leasing activities and also
provides credit life, accident and health insurance, discount brokerage services
and property management for its properties. Those subsidiaries consist of The
Fifth Third Company, Fifth Third Securities, Inc., The Fifth Third Leasing
Company, Midwest Payment Systems, Inc.,
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Fifth Third International Company and Heartland Capital Management, Inc. Fifth
Third's affiliates provide a full range of financial products and services to
the retail, commercial, financial, governmental, educational and medical
sectors, including a wide variety of checking, savings and money market
accounts, and credit products such as credit cards, installment loans, mortgage
loans and leasing. Each of the banking affiliates has deposit insurance provided
by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation through the Bank Insurance Fund and
the Savings Association Insurance Fund.
Fifth Third, through its banking subsidiaries, also participates in several
regional shared ATM networks, including "Money Station(R)," "Honor(R)" and
"Star." These networks include approximately 5,400, 42,000 and 44,000 ATMs,
respectively. All Fifth Third banking subsidiaries also participate in the "PLUS
System(R)" network, which is an international ATM network with approximately
625,000 ATMs.
Fifth Third is a corporate entity legally separate and distinct from its
affiliates. The principal source of Fifth Third's income is dividends from its
affiliates. There are certain regulatory restrictions as to the extent to which
the affiliates can pay dividends or otherwise supply funds to Fifth Third. See
"Description of Capital Stock and Comparative Rights of
Shareholders -- Dividends."
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
Fifth Third's strategy for growth includes strengthening its presence in
core markets, expanding into contiguous markets and broadening its product
offerings.
Fifth Third believes it has an excellent track record in integrating
acquired businesses. Since 1989, Fifth Third has completed 25 acquisitions,
which have contributed to its growth. Consistent with this strategy, in addition
to the merger with Emerald, Fifth Third recently entered into agreements to
acquire Ashland Bankshares, Inc., Enterprise Federal Bancorp, Inc. and South
Florida Bank Holding Corporation.
ASHLAND BANKSHARES, INC. On April 16, 1999, Fifth Third acquired Ashland
Bankshares, Inc., a bank holding company based in Ashland, Kentucky which owns
Bank of Ashland, Inc. As of December 31, 1998, Ashland had total assets of
$171.1 million and total deposits of $141.4 million. Fifth Third issued
approximately 1,225,000 shares of Fifth Third common stock to shareholders of
Ashland in that merger. Based on the fair market value per share of Fifth Third
common stock as of April 16, 1999, these shares would have an aggregate value of
approximately $84.5 million.
ENTERPRISE FEDERAL BANCORP, INC. On May [14], 1999, Fifth Third acquired
Enterprise Federal Bancorp, Inc., a savings and loan holding company based in
Cincinnati, Ohio which owns Enterprise Federal Savings Bank. As of December 31,
1998, Enterprise Federal Bancorp, Inc. had total assets of $554.1 million and
total deposits of $343.2 million. Fifth Third issued approximately 1,522,306
shares of Fifth Third common stock to shareholders of Enterprise in that merger.
Based on the fair market value per share of Fifth Third common stock as of [May
14], 1999, these shares would have an aggregate value of approximately
$ million.
SOUTH FLORIDA BANK HOLDING CORPORATION. On October 22, 1998, Fifth Third
agreed to acquire South Florida Bank Holding Corporation, a bank holding company
based in Ft. Myers, Florida which owns South Florida Bank. As of December 31,
1998, South Florida had total assets of $90.2 million and total deposits of
$77.0 million.
In connection with the acquisition of South Florida, shareholders of South
Florida will receive .34800 shares of Fifth Third common stock for each
outstanding share of South Florida capital stock. Fifth Third expects to issue
approximately 440,000 shares of Fifth Third common stock to shareholders of
South Florida. Based on the fair market value per share of Fifth Third common
stock as of , 1999, these shares would have an aggregate value of
approximately $ million. Fifth Third expects that its acquisition
of South Florida will be accounted for as a pooling-of-interests and will be
completed in the second quarter of 1999 prior the time of the merger with
Emerald.
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
For more detailed information about Fifth Third, reference is made to the
Fifth Third Annual Report on Form 10-K, as amended, for the year ended December
31, 1998 and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 1999,
which are incorporated into this document by reference, and to the Fifth Third
1998 Annual Report to Shareholders which accompanies this document. See "Where
You Can Find More Information."
EMERALD FINANCIAL CORP.
DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS
Emerald is a unitary thrift holding company organized in 1996 to become the
holding company of The Strongsville Savings Bank. Emerald became the holding
company of The Strongsville Savings Bank in a tax-free exchange of shares of The
Strongsville Savings Bank for shares of Emerald common stock on March 6, 1997.
In addition, Emerald formed Emerald Development Corp., a wholly owned
subsidiary, on June 3, 1997. The development company was formed to take
advantage of opportunities to develop real estate as well as to enter into joint
real estate development ventures in the future.
Founded in 1961, The Strongsville Savings Bank is an Ohio-chartered,
federally insured savings association. The Strongsville Savings Bank is a
community-oriented financial institution serving its market area with a wide
selection of residential loans and retail financial services, emphasizing
customer service. The Strongsville Savings Bank's business consists primarily of
attracting deposits from the general public and originating and investing in
loans secured by first mortgage liens on residential and other real estate,
primarily in northeastern Ohio. The Strongsville Savings Bank also invests in
certain government obligations and other investments permitted by federal law
and regulations. The principal source of funds for The Strongsville Savings
Bank's lending activities are increases in deposit accounts, principal and
interest payments of loans and proceeds from the sale of loans. The Strongsville
Savings Bank's principal source of earnings is interest income from loans and
other interest-earning assets. Its principal expenses are interest paid on
deposit accounts and operating expenses. The Strongsville Savings Bank's
services include consumer and commercial checking accounts, savings accounts,
certificates of deposit, residential and commercial real estate loans, home
equity lines of credit, and secured and unsecured consumer loans and rental of
safe-deposit boxes.
The Strongsville Savings Bank's branch network is comprised of full-service
banking offices, proprietary ATMs, access to a network of metropolitan, regional
and national ATMs, and electronic fund transfer services. The Strongsville
Savings Bank has historically concentrated its business activities in the
northeastern Ohio area, primarily Cuyahoga, Lorain, Medina, and Summit Counties.
The Strongsville Savings Bank conducts its lending and deposit-gathering
activities through its headquarters in Strongsville, Ohio, and through its
network of area Community Financial Centers in the suburbs to the south and west
of Cleveland, Ohio.
The Strongsville Savings Bank is very active in the origination of loans to
developers and builders of residential housing in its market area, including
loans to (1) acquire lots and land for residential subdivision, (2) to develop
raw land by financing the cost of improvements such as streets, sewers and
utilities, and (3) to construct houses on such improved property. The
Strongsville Savings Bank currently is a leading residential real estate
construction lender in Cuyahoga, Medina and Lorain Counties. Central to The
Strongsville Savings Bank's operating philosophy is the development and
maintenance of strong personal relationships with local realtors, builders,
developers, public officials and other real estate-related professionals.
Emerald is a legal entity separate and distinct from its subsidiaries.
Accordingly, the right of Emerald, and thus the right of Emerald's creditors, to
participate in any distribution of the assets or earnings of any subsidiary,
other than in its capacity as a creditor of such subsidiary, is subject to the
prior payment of claims of creditors of the subsidiary. The principal sources of
Emerald's revenues are dividends and fees from its subsidiaries. See "Regulation
of Financial Institutions -- Regulation of Savings Associations -- Limitations
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on Capital Distributions" for a discussion of the restrictions on Emerald
subsidiaries' ability to pay dividends to Emerald.
At March 31, 1999, Emerald's total assets were $ million, its
total deposits were $ million, and its total shareholders' equity
was $ million.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
For more detailed information about Emerald, reference is made to the
Emerald Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1998, Current
Report on Form 8-K filed March 2, 1999 and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the
quarter ended March 31, 1999 which are incorporated into this document by
reference and the Emerald Summary 1998 Annual Report which is attached hereto as
Appendix F. See "Where You Can Find More Information."
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SELECTED HISTORICAL FINANCIAL DATA OF FIFTH THIRD
The following table sets forth certain historical financial data concerning
Fifth Third for the five years ended December 31, 1998. This information is
based on information contained in Fifth Third's 1998 Annual Report on Form 10-K
for the fiscal year ended on December 31, 1998 which is incorporated by
reference into this document and is also included in Fifth Third's 1998 Annual
Report to Shareholders which is enclosed with this document and should be read
in conjunction therewith, as well as Fifth Third's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
for the quarter ended March 31, 1999, which is incorporated by reference into
this document. Financial data for all periods has been restated to reflect the
second quarter 1998 mergers with CitFed Bancorp, Inc. and State Savings Company.
Both mergers were accounted for as poolings-of-interest.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
THREE MONTHS ENDED
MARCH 31, YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
----------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------
1999 1998 1998(2) 1997 1996(1) 1995 1994
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
(IN THOUSANDS EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
SUMMARY OF OPERATIONS:
Interest income................. $ $ $2,018,677 $1,919,083 $1,772,410 $1,518,713 $1,195,401
Interest expense................ 1,015,853 1,006,833 931,377 825,497 558,091
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Net interest income............. 1,002,824 912,250 841,033 693,216 637,310
Provision for credit losses..... 109,171 90,095 68,382 45,934 41,183
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Net interest income after
provision for credit losses... 893,653 822,155 772,651 647,282 596,127
Other operating income.......... 636,194 501,769 418,907 345,391 284,614
Operating expenses.............. 803,577 630,508 621,654 499,564 465,723
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Income before income taxes...... 726,270 693,416 569,904 493,109 415,018
Applicable income taxes......... 250,142 232,558 187,560 162,662 139,393
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Net income...................... $ $ $ 476,128 $ 460,858 $ 382,344 $ 330,447 $ 275,625
========== ========== ========== ========== ========== ========== ==========
COMMON SHARE DATA:
Earnings per share.............. $ $ $ 1.80 $ 1.76 $ 1.45 $ 1.31 $ 1.12
Diluted earnings per share...... 1.76 1.73 1.42 1.27 1.08
Cash dividends declared per
share......................... 0.71 .56 8/9 .48 8/9 .42 2/3 .35 5/9
Book value at period end........ 11.91 10.52 9.56 8.23 6.97
Average shares outstanding
(000's)....................... 265,338 262,338 263,523 251.863 246,722
Average diluted shares
outstanding (000's)........... 270,674 266,680 269,444 260,867 255,581
</TABLE>
- ---------------
(1) Operating expenses for 1996 include the special Savings Association
Insurance Fund assessment of $37.9 million pretax ($24.6 million after tax
or $.09 per share). For comparability, excluding the impact of this
assessment, net income, earnings per share and diluted earnings per share
would have been $407.0 million, $1.54 and $1.51, respectively.
(2) Provision for credit losses and operating expenses for 1998 include $16.7
million and $89.7 million of nonrecurring merger-related charges (total
$106.4 million or $.28 per share). For comparability, excluding the impact
of these merger-related charges, net income, earnings per share and diluted
earnings per share would have been $551.7 million, $2.08 and $2.04,
respectively.
41
<PAGE> 46
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
THREE MONTHS ENDED
MARCH 31 YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------
1999 1998 1998(2) 1997 1996(1) 1995 1994
----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
(IN THOUSANDS EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
FINANCIAL CONDITION AT PERIOD
END:
Securities.................... $ $ $ 8,420,638 $ 8,224,475 $ 7,826,797 $ 5,683,298 $ 4,925,105
Loans and leases.............. 17,779,023 17,312,943 16,034,523 14,813,197 12,992,774
Assets........................ 28,921,782 27,710,673 26,076,597 22,110,700 19,399,912
Deposits...................... 18,780,355 19,019,896 18,161,327 16,090,989 13,931,299
Short-term borrowings......... 3,693,927 3,650,931 3,581,173 2,064,095 2,703,054
Long-term debt and convertible
subordinated notes.......... 2,288,151 1,508,683 1,199,101 1,364,438 665,791
Shareholders' equity.......... 3,178,522 2,762,836 2,561,335 2,102,738 1,727,115
RATIOS:
PROFITABILITY RATIOS:
Return on average assets...... % % 1.93% 1.74% 1.64% 1.58% 1.54%
Return on average
shareholders' equity........ % % 18.7% 18.4% 17.4% 17.0% 16.9%
Net interest margin........... % % 3.94% 3.84% 3.78% 3.67% 3.91%
Overhead ratio(3)............. % % 42.3% 43.3% 45.0% 46.6% 49.2%
Other operating income to
total income(4)............. % % 38.4% 35.2% 32.9% 32.9% 31.3%
CAPITAL RATIOS:
Average shareholders' equity
to average assets........... % % 10.33% 9.48% 9.46% 9.31% 9.12%
Tier 1 risk-adjusted
capital..................... % % 12.09% 11.19% 11.73% 11.43% 11.58%
Total risk-adjusted capital... % % 14.22% 13.54% 14.46% 14.69% 13.70%
Tier 1 leverage............... % % 10.39% 9.50% 9.17% 9.46% 9.51%
RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED
CHARGES:(5)
Including deposit interest.... x x 1.71x 1.68x 1.61x 1.59x 1.74x
Excluding deposit interest.... x x 3.17x 3.37x 3.39x 3.22x 4.04x
CREDIT QUALITY RATIOS:
Reserve for credit losses to
nonperforming assets........ % % 517.04% 318.95% 279.94% 248.70% 345.11%
Reserve for credit losses to
loans and leases
outstanding................. % % 1.50% 1.45% 1.46% 1.51% 1.55%
Net charge-offs to average
loans and leases
outstanding................. % % .55% .45% .41% .23% .14%
Nonperforming assets to loans,
leases and other real estate
owned....................... % % .29% .45% .52% .61% .45%
</TABLE>
- ---------------
(1) Operating expenses for 1996 exclude the impact of the special Savings
Association Insurance Fund assessment of $37.9 million pretax ($24.6 million
after tax or $.09 per share). Including the impact of this assessment,
return on average assets, return on average equity and the overhead ratio
were 1.55%, 16.3% and 47.9%, respectively.
(2) Provision for credit losses and operating expenses for 1998 exclude $16.7
million and $89.7 million of merger-related charges (total $106.4 million or
$.28 per share). For comparability, including the impact of these
merger-related charges, return on average assets, return on average equity
and the overhead ratio were 1.67%, 16.2% and 47.6%, respectively.
(3) Operating expenses divided by the sum of taxable-equivalent net interest
income and other operating income.
(4) Other operating income excluding securities gains and losses as a percent of
net interest income and other operating income excluding securities gains
and losses.
(5) Earnings represent income before income taxes plus fixed charges. Fixed
charges include interest expense and the proportion deemed representative of
the interest factor of rental expense.
42
<PAGE> 47
SELECTED HISTORICAL FINANCIAL DATA OF EMERALD
The following table sets forth certain historical financial data concerning
Emerald. This information is based on information contained in Emerald Financial
Corp.'s 1998 Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended on December
31, 1998 and Emerald's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March
31, 1999, which are incorporated by reference in this document. This information
is also contained in Emerald's Summary 1998 Annual Report which is attached as
Annex F to this document.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
THREE MONTHS
ENDED MARCH 31, YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
----------------- -----------------------------------------------
1999 1998 1998(2) 1997 1996(1) 1995 1994
------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
(IN THOUSANDS EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
SUMMARY OF OPERATIONS:
Interest income................................... $ $ $46,099 $44,960 $39,858 $35,410 $27,122
Interest expense.................................. 28,736 28,255 24,494 21,342 14,113
------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Net interest income............................... 17,363 16,705 15,364 14,068 13,009
Provision for credit losses....................... 710 215 305 238 92
------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Net interest income after provision for credit
losses.......................................... 16,653 16,490 15,059 13,830 12,917
Other operating income(3)......................... 4,545 2,306 2,435 2,052 1,194
Operating expenses................................ 9,790 9,485 12,005 8,626 7,370
------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Income before income taxes........................ 11,408 9,311 5,489 7,256 6,741
Applicable income taxes(3)........................ 3,652 3,170 1,941 2,539 2,331
------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Net income........................................ $ $ 7,756 6,141 3,548 4,717 4,410
======= ======= ======= ======= ======= ======= =======
COMMON SHARE DATA(2):
Earnings per share................................ $ $ 0.76 $ 0.61 $ 0.35 $ 0.47 $ 0.44
Diluted earnings per share........................ 0.72 0.59 0.35 0.47 0.44
Cash dividends per share.......................... 0.20 0.12 0.12 0.10 0.08
Book value at period end.......................... 5.33 4.78 4.27 4.06 3.67
Average shares outstanding (000's)................ 10,263 10,130 10,123 10,123 10,123
Average diluted shares outstanding (000's)........ 10,745 10,431 10,222 10,123 10,123
</TABLE>
- ---------------
(1) Operating expenses for 1996 include the special Savings Association
Insurance Fund assessment of $2.5 million pretax ($1.6 million after tax or
$0.16 per share). For comparability, excluding the impact of this
assessment, net income, earnings per share and diluted earnings per share
would have been $5.2 million, $0.51 and $0.51, respectively.
(2) Per share amounts and shares outstanding reflect the two-for-one stock split
effected in the form of a stock dividend declared April 15, 1998 to
shareholders of record on May 1, 1998 and distributed May 15, 1998.
(3) Includes the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle of gain
on sale of securities of $117,000 with related income.
43
<PAGE> 48
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
THREE MONTHS
ENDED MARCH 31 YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
------------------- ----------------------------------------------------
1999 1998 1998 1997 1996(1) 1995 1994
-------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
(IN THOUSANDS EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
FINANCIAL CONDITION AT PERIOD END:
Securities............................... $ $ $ 96,156 $ 99,833 $121,860 $127,954 $116,974
Loans and leases, net.................... 532,070 469,280 425,855 336,351 281,843
Assets................................... 668,459 603,965 567,490 492,097 419,258
Deposits................................. 559,235 520,690 493,471 432,563 363,050
Short-term borrowings.................... 1,293 1,042 1,040 1,000 1,000
Long-term debt and convertible
subordinated notes..................... 46,939 27,096 24,194 12,333 14,583
Shareholders' equity..................... 54,784 48,515 43,158 41,091 37,153
RATIOS:
PROFITABILITY RATIOS:
Return on average assets................. % % 1.24% 1.03% 0.99% 1.03% 1.18%
Return on average shareholders' equity... % % 14.83% 13.45% 12.25% 12.07% 12.47%
Net interest margin...................... % % 2.89% 2.87% 3.00% 3.15% 3.58%
Overhead ratio(2)........................ % % 48.58% 51.17% 57.00% 57.04% 52.74%
Other operating income to total
income(3).............................. % % 13.84% 9.88% 8.04% 6.98% 6.91%
Dividend payout.......................... % % 25.84% 19.79% 22.94% 21.46% 18.08%
CAPITAL RATIOS:
Average shareholders' equity to average
assets................................. % % 8.33% 7.68% 8.06% 8.52% 9.46%
Tier 1 risk-adjusted capital............. % % 8.02% 7.74% 7.49% 8.14% 8.64%
Total risk-adjusted capital.............. % % 12.60% 12.85% 12.93% 13.51% 14.22%
Tier 1 leverage.......................... % % 12.19% 12.42% 12.52% 13.13% 13.50%
RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES:(4)
Including deposit interest............... x x 1.39x 1.33x 1.22x 1.34x 1.48x
Excluding deposit interest............... x x 6.52x 6.24x 6.17x 8.45x 18.39x
CREDIT QUALITY RATIOS:
Reserve for credit losses to
nonperforming loans.................... % % 88.87% 75.80% 83.76% 56.91% 120.11%
Reserve for credit losses to loans and
leases outstanding..................... % % 0.33% 0.35% 0.33% 0.35% 0.34%
Net charge-offs (recoveries) to average
loans and leases outstanding........... % % 0.11% 0.00% 0.01% 0.01% -0.01%
Nonperforming assets to total assets..... % % 0.35% 0.55% 0.30% 0.42% 0.19%
</TABLE>
- ---------------
(1) Operating expenses for 1996 exclude the impact of the special Savings
Association Insurance Fund assessment of $2.4 million pretax ($1.6 million
after tax or $0.16 per share). Including the impact of this assessment,
return on average assets, return on average equity and the overhead ratio
were 0.68%, 8.38% and 71.85%, respectively.
(2) Operating expenses divided by the sum of taxable equivalent net interest
income and other operating income.
(3) Other operating income excluding securities gains and losses as a percent of
net interest income and other operating income excluding securities gains
and losses.
(4) Earnings represent income before income taxes plus fixed charges. Fixed
charges include interest expense and the proportion deemed representative of
the interest factor of rental expense.
44
<PAGE> 49
DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK AND COMPARATIVE
RIGHTS OF SHAREHOLDERS
Fifth Third and Emerald are each corporations organized under the laws of
the State of Ohio.
Fifth Third is authorized to issue 500,000,000 shares of Fifth Third common
stock, no par value, and 500,000 shares of preferred stock, no par value. As of
February 1, 1999, Fifth Third had outstanding 267,147,048 shares of Fifth Third
common stock and no shares of Fifth Third preferred stock. Pursuant to article
fourth of Fifth Third's second amended articles of incorporation, as amended,
the board of directors of Fifth Third may, without further action of the
shareholders, (1) divide into one or more new series the authorized shares of
Fifth Third preferred stock which have not previously been designated, (2) fix
the number of shares constituting any new series, and (3) fix the dividend
rates, payment dates, whether dividend rights shall be cumulative or
non-cumulative, conversion rights, redemption rights (including sinking fund
provisions) and liquidation preferences. Except as otherwise provided by law,
holders of any series of Fifth Third preferred stock shall not be entitled to
vote on any matter.
Emerald is authorized to issue 20,000,000 shares of Emerald common stock,
no par value per share. As of May 14, 1999, Emerald had outstanding
shares of Emerald common stock.
Set forth below is a description of Fifth Third common stock and Emerald
common stock. This description and analysis are brief summaries of relevant
provisions of the articles of incorporation and code of regulations of Fifth
Third and of the articles of incorporation and code of regulations of Emerald
and are qualified in their entirety by reference to these documents.
VOTING RIGHTS
Holders of both Fifth Third common stock and Emerald common stock are
entitled to one vote per share on all matters submitted to a vote of
shareholders.
Fifth Third's code of regulations provides for the division of its board of
directors into three classes of approximately equal size. Directors of Fifth
Third's board of directors are elected for three-year terms, and the terms of
office of approximately one-third of the members of the classified board of
directors expire each year. This classification of the board of Fifth Third may
make it more difficult for a shareholder to acquire immediate control of Fifth
Third and remove management by means of a hostile takeover. Since the terms of
approximately one-third of the incumbent directors expire each year, at least
two annual elections are necessary for the shareholders to replace a majority of
directors, whereas a majority of the directors of a non-classified board of
directors may be replaced in one annual meeting.
The Emerald board is also classified. The Emerald board is divided into
three classes, each containing three directors; and the election of each class
of directors constitutes a separate election. Directors serve for terms of three
years and until their respective successors are duly elected and qualified, or
until their prior resignation, disqualification, disability or removal from
office. As a result of the classification of the Emerald board, a minimum of two
annual meetings of shareholders would be necessary for a majority of the members
of the Emerald board to stand for election.
Fifth Third's articles of incorporation contain another potential
anti-takeover device. As stated above, Fifth Third is authorized to issue
500,000 shares of Fifth Third preferred stock, and its board of directors may
designate various characteristics and rights of Fifth Third preferred stock,
including conversion rights. Accordingly, as an anti-takeover measure, Fifth
Third's board of directors may authorize the conversion of shares of Fifth Third
preferred stock into any number of shares of Fifth Third common stock and thus
dilute the outstanding shares of Fifth Third common stock.
The holders of Fifth Third common stock have the right to vote cumulatively
in the election of directors. Under applicable Ohio law, unless a corporation's
articles of incorporation are amended to provide that no shareholder of the
corporation may cumulate his or her voting power, each shareholder has the right
to vote cumulatively in the election of directors of the corporation if (1)
written notice is given by any shareholder of the corporation to the president,
a vice president or the secretary of such corporation, not less than forty-eight
45
<PAGE> 50
hours before the time fixed for holding the meeting at which directors are to be
elected, indicating that the shareholder desires that voting for the election of
directors be cumulative, and (2) announcement of the giving of this notice is
made upon the convening of the meeting by the chairman or the secretary or by or
on behalf of the shareholder giving the notice. In this event, each shareholder
will be entitled to cumulate the voting power as he or she possesses and to give
one nominee as many votes as the number of directors to be elected multiplied by
the number of his or her shares, or to distribute these votes on the same
principle among two or more candidates, as each shareholder sees fit. The
availability of cumulative voting rights enhances the ability of minority
shareholders to obtain representation on the board of directors.
Emerald shareholders do not have a right to vote cumulatively in the
election of directors. Therefore, each share of Emerald common stock is entitled
to one vote in the election of any director.
DIVIDENDS
Holders of Fifth Third common stock and Emerald common stock are each
entitled to dividends as and when declared by the respective boards of directors
of each institution out of funds legally available for the payment of dividends.
Fifth Third and Emerald have, in the past, declared and paid dividends on a
quarterly basis, and intend to continue to do so in the immediate future in such
amounts as their respective boards of directors shall determine.
Most of the revenues of Fifth Third and Emerald available for payment of
dividends derive from amounts paid to each corporation by its respective
subsidiaries. Under applicable banking law, the total of all dividends declared
in any calendar year by a national bank or a state-chartered bank may not,
without the approval of the Comptroller of the Currency, the Federal Reserve
Board, or the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, as the case may be, exceed
the aggregate of the bank's net profits (as defined) and retained net profits
for the preceding two years. Under the law applicable to savings associations,
the amount of dividends which a savings association may make without the
approval of the Office of Thrift Supervision depends upon the amount of capital
possessed by the savings association. Savings associations which, like The
Strongsville Savings Bank, have capital immediately prior to, and on a pro forma
basis after giving effect to, a proposed dividend that is equal to or greater
than the amount of their fully phased-in capital requirements, are generally
authorized to pay dividends during a calendar year up to the greater of 100% of
their net income during the calendar year plus the amount that would reduce by
one-half their surplus capital or 75% of net income during the most recent four
quarters (minus dividends previously paid over that period).
The affiliates of Fifth Third include both state and nationally chartered
banks and savings banks. Under the applicable regulatory limitations, during the
year 1998, the affiliates of Fifth Third could declare aggregate dividends
limited to their 1998 eligible net profits, as defined, and their retained 1997
and 1996 net income, without the approval of their respective regulators. The
principal regulators of these affiliates have the statutory authority to
prohibit a depository institution under their supervision from paying dividends.
Neither Emerald nor any affiliate of Fifth Third has ever been prohibited from
declaring dividends or restricted in paying any dividends declared.
If, in the opinion of the applicable regulatory authority, a depository
institution under its jurisdiction is engaged in or is about to engage in an
unsafe or unsound practice (which, depending on the financial condition of the
depository institution, could include the payment of dividends), the authority
may require, after notice and hearing, that the bank cease and desist from the
practice. The Federal Reserve Board has similar authority with respect to bank
holding companies. In addition, the Federal Reserve Board, the Comptroller of
the Currency and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation have issued policy
statements which provide that insured banks and bank holding companies should
generally only pay dividends out of current operating earnings. Finally, the
regulatory authorities have established guidelines with respect to the
maintenance of appropriate levels of capital by a bank, bank holding company or
savings association under their jurisdiction. Compliance with the standards set
forth in these guidelines could limit the amount of dividends which Fifth Third
and Emerald, and their respective affiliates, may pay in the future.
46
<PAGE> 51
PREEMPTIVE RIGHTS
Neither shareholders of Fifth Third nor shareholders of Emerald have
preemptive rights.
RIGHTS UPON LIQUIDATION
In the event of any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of Emerald, the
holders of Emerald common stock would be entitled to receive, after payment or
provision for payment of all debts and liabilities of Emerald (including the
payment of all fees, taxes and other expenses incidental thereto), the remaining
assets of Emerald available for distribution. With respect to Fifth Third, so
long as Fifth Third has not issued any shares of Fifth Third preferred stock,
Fifth Third's shareholders have identical rights on liquidation, dissolution or
winding up. If Fifth Third preferred stock is issued, the holders of Fifth Third
preferred stock may have priority over the holders of Fifth Third common stock
in the event of liquidation or dissolution.
INDEMNIFICATION AND PERSONAL LIABILITY OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
Fifth Third's code of regulations provides for the indemnification of each
director and officer of the corporation, to the fullest extent permitted by Ohio
law, against all expenses and liabilities reasonably incurred by or imposed on
him or her in connection with any proceeding or threatened proceeding in which
he or she may become involved by reason of his or her being or having been a
director or officer.
Emerald's code of regulations provides for the indemnification of each
director, officer, employee and agent of Emerald to the full extent permitted by
Ohio law. If the merger is completed, Fifth Third will assume the obligations of
Emerald for the indemnification of its officers and directors.
Neither Fifth Third nor Emerald have any additional indemnification
agreements with their directors or executive officers.
SHAREHOLDERS' MEETINGS; QUORUM
Special meetings of Fifth Third's shareholders may be called at any time by
the board of directors or by the shareholders of Fifth Third upon the written
application of the holders of at least 25% of all Fifth Third capital stock
entitled to vote on the matters to be considered at the meeting. These
applications must set forth the purpose or purposes of the meeting. Special
meetings of Emerald's shareholders may be called at any time by the chairman of
the board, the president, a vice president authorized to exercise the authority
of the president, the directors in a meeting, a majority of the directors acting
without a meeting or upon the written request of the holders of 25% of all
shares outstanding and entitled to vote at the meeting.
The presence in person or by proxy of the holders of a majority of the
shares of stock entitled to vote at a meeting on every matter that is to be
voted on constitutes a quorum under Fifth Third's code of regulations. Emerald's
code of regulations provide that the shareholders present in person or by proxy
at any meeting of shareholders shall constitute a quorum for such meeting.
REMOVAL OF DIRECTORS
Ohio law provides that the directors may remove any director: (1) if by
order of court he has been found to be of unsound mind, or if he is adjudicated
a bankrupt; or (2) if within sixty days, or within such other period of time as
is prescribed in the articles or the regulations, from the date of his election
he does not qualify by accepting in writing his election to the office or by
acting at a meeting of the directors, and by acquiring the qualifications
specified in the articles or the regulations; or if, for such period as is
prescribed in the articles or the regulations, he ceases to hold the required
qualifications.
Where, as in the case of Fifth Third, the shareholders have a right to vote
cumulatively in the election of directors, then, unless the articles or the
regulations expressly provide that no director may be removed from office or
that removal of directors requires a greater vote than that specified in this
division, all the directors, all the directors of a particular class, or any
individual director may be removed from office, without assigning any cause, by
the vote of the holders of a majority of the voting power entitling them to
elect
47
<PAGE> 52
directors in place of those to be removed, except that, unless all the
directors, or all the directors of a particular class, are removed, no
individual director shall be removed if the votes of a sufficient number of
shares are cast against his removal that, if cumulatively voted at an election
of all the directors, or all the directors of a particular class, as the case
may be, would be sufficient to elect at least one director.
Fifth Third's code of regulations provide that no director shall be removed
without cause during his term of office and that any director may be removed for
cause at any time by the action of the holders of record of a majority of the
outstanding shares of Fifth Third common stock entitled to vote thereon at a
meeting of the stockholders, and the vacancy in the board of directors caused by
such removal may be filled by action of the stockholders at such meeting or any
subsequent meeting.
Emerald's code of regulations provide that any director, all the directors
of a particular class or the entire board of directors may be removed at any
time: (1) for cause, by the affirmative vote of holders of the majority, and (2)
without cause, by the holders of at least two-thirds, of the outstanding shares
of Emerald common stock entitled to vote generally in the election of directors
(considered for this purpose as one class) cast at a meeting of Emerald
shareholders called for this purpose. Upon the removal of any director by the
Emerald shareholders, a new director may be elected at the same meeting of
shareholders to hold office for the remainder of the term of the director so
removed. Failure by the Emerald shareholders to fill the unexpired term of a
removed director at this meeting of shareholders is be deemed to create a
vacancy on the Emerald board of directors, which is filled by the Emerald board
of directors as provided in Emerald's code of regulations. In the event that the
holders of the shares of any class of Emerald common stock are entitled to elect
one or more directors by virtue of the Emerald articles of incorporation, the
removal provisions of Emerald's code of regulations apply, in respect to the
removal of a director or directors so elected by a class, to the vote of the
holders of the outstanding shares of that class and not to the vote of the
outstanding shares of Emerald as a whole.
AMENDMENT TO ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION AND CODE OF REGULATIONS
Ohio law provides that except in certain circumstances, amendments to a
corporation's articles of incorporation must be adopted by the affirmative vote
of the holders of shares entitling them to exercise two-thirds of the voting
power of the corporation on the proposal or, if the articles provide or permit,
by the affirmative vote of a greater or lesser proportion, but not less than a
majority, of this voting power, and by such affirmative vote of the holders of
shares of any particular class as is required by the articles.
Except for amendments by the Fifth Third board of directors concerning the
fixing of the terms of any series of Fifth Third preferred stock, Fifth Third's
articles of incorporation contain no other provisions concerning amendments.
Emerald's articles of incorporation contain no provisions concerning amendments.
Ohio law provides that the code of regulations of a corporation may be
amended, or new regulations may be adopted, by the shareholders at a meeting
held for that purpose, by the affirmative vote of the holders of shares
entitling them to exercise a majority of the voting power of the corporation on
the proposal, or may be amended, or new regulations may be adopted, without a
meeting by the written consent of the holders of shares entitling them to
exercise two-thirds of the voting power on the proposal, or if the articles or
regulations so provide or permit, by the affirmative vote or written consent of
the holders of shares entitling them to exercise a greater or lesser proportion
but not less than a majority of the voting power.
Fifth Third's code of regulations provide that, except for certain
provisions regarding the election and removal of directors (which may only be
amended by the vote or consent of two-thirds of the voting power of Fifth
Third), the Fifth Third code of regulations may be altered, amended or repealed
at a meeting held for this purpose by the affirmative vote of the holders of
shares of Fifth Third common stock entitling them to exercise a majority of the
voting power or may be adopted without a meeting by the written consent of the
holders of shares of Fifth Third common stock entitling them to exercise
two-thirds of the voting power.
Emerald's code of regulations may be altered, amended, repealed, replaced
or supplemented by a majority vote of Emerald shareholders at any meeting held
for this purpose, or by written consent without a
48
<PAGE> 53
meeting of the holders of Emerald shares entitling them to exercise a majority
of the voting power of Emerald.
VACANCIES ON THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Ohio law provides that, unless the articles or the regulations otherwise
provide, the remaining directors, though less than a majority of the whole
authorized number of directors, may, by the vote of a majority of their number,
fill any vacancy in the board for the unexpired term. A vacancy exists if the
shareholders increase the authorized number of directors but fail at the meeting
at which the increase is authorized, or an adjournment of that meeting, to elect
the additional directors provided for, or if the shareholders fail at any time
to elect the whole authorized number of directors. In case of any removal of a
director pursuant to the second paragraph of " -- Removal of Directors" above, a
new director may be elected at the same meeting for the unexpired term of each
director removed. Failure to elect a director to fill the unexpired term of any
director removed is deemed to create a vacancy in the board.
Fifth Third's code of regulations provide that, except for vacancies
created by the removal of a director (which is filled as stated above in "--
Removal of Directors"), in the case of any increase in the number of directors,
or any vacancy created by the death, resignation or otherwise of a director, the
additional director or directors may be elected, or, as the case may be, the
vacancy or vacancies may be filled either: (1) by the Fifth Third board of
directors at any meeting by the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining
directors (though less than a quorum), or (2) by the holders of Fifth Third
common stock entitled to vote thereon, either at an annual meeting of
stockholders or at a special meeting called for that purpose.
Emerald's code of regulations provide that vacancies may be filled by a
majority vote of the remaining Emerald directors for that period of time to the
next Emerald shareholders' meeting, at which meeting the Emerald shareholders
will elect a director to fill the unexpired term.
ADVANCE NOTICE REQUIREMENTS FOR NOMINATIONS OF DIRECTORS AND PRESENTATION OF NEW
BUSINESS AT MEETINGS OF SHAREHOLDERS
The code of regulations of Emerald provides that any shareholder desiring
to make a nomination for the election of directors at a meeting of shareholders
must submit written notice not less than 60 days in advance of the meeting and
must provide certain information relating to the nomination. Failure to comply
with these advance notice requirements would preclude such nominations from
being considered at the meeting. Additionally, Emerald's code of regulations
provides that new business proposed by shareholders must be stated in writing
and filed with the secretary of Emerald at least five days before the meeting.
Fifth Third does not have any similar provisions.
STOCK REPURCHASES
Fifth Third's articles of incorporation authorizes Fifth Third's board of
directors to purchase, repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire shares issued by
Fifth Third at such times and on such terms as the board determines is in the
best interests of Fifth Third. Emerald is more restricted in its ability to
purchase shares issued by it. Besides any power to repurchase shares that
Emerald may have specifically under applicable law, Emerald's articles of
incorporation only authorize Emerald to repurchase shares from the estate of a
deceased shareholder.
SUBSCRIPTION, CONVERSION, REDEMPTION RIGHTS; STOCK NONASSESSABLE
Neither Fifth Third common stock nor Emerald common stock has subscription
or conversion rights, and there are no mandatory redemption provisions
applicable thereto. Shares of Fifth Third common stock issued to shareholders of
Emerald pursuant to the affiliation agreement will be validly issued, fully paid
and non-assessable, and will not, upon such issuance, be subject to preemptive
rights of any shareholder of Fifth Third.
49
<PAGE> 54
CHANGE-OF-CONTROL PROVISIONS
The articles of incorporation and code of regulations of Fifth Third
contain various provisions which could make more difficult a change in control
of Fifth Third or discourage a tender offer or other plan to restructure Fifth
Third. The ability of Fifth Third to issue shares of Fifth Third preferred stock
may have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control of
Fifth Third. Additionally, Fifth Third's classified board of directors may make
it more difficult for a shareholder to acquire immediate control of Fifth Third.
Emerald's code of regulations also contains provisions for a classified
board of directors which may make it more difficult for a shareholder to acquire
immediate control of Emerald.
50
<PAGE> 55
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS
AND MANAGEMENT OF EMERALD
The following table shows the share ownership of (1) each Emerald director
and nominee, (2) each Emerald executive officer named in the Summary
Compensation Table and (3) all executive officers and directors of Emerald as a
group. The column showing shares acquirable by exercise of options reflects
options granted under Emerald's 1998 Stock Option and Incentive Plan and The
Strongsville Savings Bank 1994 Long-Term Incentive Plan. In connection with the
holding company reorganization of The Strongsville Savings Bank completed on
March 6, 1997, Emerald adopted and assumed all obligations under the 1994
Long-Term Incentive Plan. Options issued under the 1994 Long-Term Incentive Plan
became options to acquire a like number of shares of Emerald common stock,
exercisable on the same terms and conditions. Information in the table below is
as of May 14, 1999. Except as may be noted, all shares are owned directly or
indirectly by the named individuals or by their spouses and minor children, over
which shares the named individuals effectively exercise voting and investment
power. Except as disclosed in the table, no other person is known by management
of Emerald to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of Emerald's common stock.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SHARES BENEFICIALLY SHARES ACQUIRABLE BY
NAME AND ADDRESS OF BENEFICIAL OWNER OWNED EXERCISE OF OPTIONS(1) PERCENT OF CLASS
------------------------------------ ------------------- ---------------------- ----------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
George P. Bohnert........................ 17,412 4,000 (2)
Joan M. Dzurilla......................... 2,464,740(3) 4,000 22.50%
14092 Pearl Road
Strongsville, OH 44136
William A. Fraunfelder, Jr............... 41,507(4) 4,000 (2)
Glenn W. Goist........................... 46,900 4,000 (2)
William J. Harr, Jr...................... 43,237 20,000 (2)
Mike Kalinich, Sr........................ 105,600 10,000 1.05%
Thomas P. Perciak........................ 454,331(5) 80,000 4.84%
14092 Pearl Road
Strongsville, Ohio 44136
Kenneth J. Piechowski.................... 2,240 20,000 (2)
John J. Plucinsky........................ 204,374 20,000 2.04%
John F. Ziegler.......................... 277,444(6) 80,000 3.24%
All directors, nominees and executive
officers as a group (12 persons)....... 4,054,231 286,000 36.02%
</TABLE>
- ---------------
(1) Options to acquire the shares reflected in the table were granted on April
17, 1998. Options granted to Emerald directors who are not officers or
employees are currently exercisable in their entirety. A portion of the
options held by Emerald executive officers became exercisable on April 17,
1999. The remainder becomes exercisable (a) incrementally over their
remaining terms or (b) upon shareholder approval of the Affiliation
Agreement between Emerald and Fifth Third, whichever first occurs. The
entire option grant to the named individuals is reflected in the table.
(2) Less than 1%.
(3) Mrs. Dzurilla holds 176,140 shares through the Joan M. Dzurilla Charitable
Remainder Trust, of which she is the settlor and sole trustee. A charitable
organization is the sole beneficiary of the trust.
(4) Does not include 3,800 shares held by Mr. Fraunfelder's spouse. Mr.
Fraunfelder disclaims beneficial ownership of those shares.
(5) Mr. Perciak has sole voting and investment power over 217,831 shares,
including shares held in his 401(k) plan account. Mr. Perciak shares voting
and investment power over 226,000 shares held by the Thomas P. Perciak
Trust, of which he and his spouse are trustees, and 10,000 shares held
jointly by
51
<PAGE> 56
Mr. Perciak and his father. The figures representing Mr. Perciak's ownership
do not include, and he disclaims beneficial ownership of, 49,422 shares held
by his spouse, 20,000 shares acquirable upon exercise of options held by his
spouse, and 36,800 shares held jointly by his spouse and her parents.
(6) Of these shares, Mr. Ziegler holds 1,900 shares as custodian for his minor
children. Includes 23,400 shares Mr. Ziegler owns jointly with his mother.
The shares shown in the table include shares that are pledged or may be
pledged from time to time by the directors and executive officers of Emerald.
According to a Schedule 13D, Amendment No. 5, beneficial ownership report filed
by Mrs. Dzurilla with the SEC on March 4, 1999, Mrs. Dzurilla has pledged
567,700 shares to a brokerage firm, securing margin debt of approximately
$226,631. According to a Schedule 13D beneficial ownership report filed by Mr.
Perciak with the SEC on March 8, 1999, Mr. Perciak incurred indebtedness of
approximately $2,256,181 with an Ohio-based financial institution in connection
with his exercise of options to acquire Emerald common stock. The indebtedness
is secured by a pledge of the 214,000 shares acquired by exercise of options.
Mr. Ziegler has also pledged to that institution 156,000 shares as security for
a loan of approximately $1,331,000. Mr. Ziegler acquired those 156,000 shares by
exercise of options in 1999, using the proceeds of such loan. Emerald directors
Bohnert, Goist and Fraunfelder and officers not named in the preceding table
have also pledged shares acquired by exercise of options to the Ohio-based
financial institution as security for the loans they obtained for the purpose of
exercising options. The table includes 16,000 shares pledged by each of Emerald
directors Bohnert, Fraunfelder and Goist securing their individual indebtedness
of $73,000; 46,000 shares pledged by Cynthia W. Gannon, Treasurer of Emerald,
securing indebtedness of $303,536; 34,000 shares pledged by Paula M. Dewey,
Secretary of Emerald, securing indebtedness of $238,000; and 40,000 shares
pledged by William J. Harr, Jr., Vice President of Emerald, securing
indebtedness of $362,500.
52
<PAGE> 57
ELECTION OF EMERALD DIRECTORS
Emerald's board of directors is divided into three classes, each consisting
of three directors. Directors are elected to serve for three-year terms or until
their successors are elected and qualified, with one class standing for election
in each year. The following table identifies the three individuals being
nominated to serve for the term ending in the year 2002 (or until the merger
with Fifth Third is completed), as well as all directors whose terms of office
continue through the 1999 Annual Meeting. If any nominee is unable to serve, the
shares represented by all valid proxies will be voted for the election of such
substitute(s) as the Emerald board of directors may recommend. Except as
disclosed in this document, there are no arrangements or understandings between
any nominee and any other person pursuant to which the nominee was selected.
Each of the directors and nominees identified in the table has been a director
of Emerald since its inception in 1996. The table indicates the period during
which they have been directors of Emerald's subsidiary, The Strongsville Savings
Bank.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DIRECTOR TERM
DIRECTOR'S NAME AND POSITION AGE SINCE EXPIRES PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION IN THE LAST 5 YEARS
---------------------------- --- -------- ------- ----------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
NOMINEES
George P. Bohnert.............. 58 1993 2002 Certified public accountant, Foerster &
Bohnert, Ltd.
Kenneth J. Piechowski.......... 50 1996 2002 Director of the Diaconate of the Catholic
Diocese of Cleveland. Mr. Piechowski has been
employed full time by the Diocese since 1988
John J. Plucinsky, M.D......... 71 1978 2002 Doctor of internal medicine for over 30
years, with a specialty in hematology and
oncology
CONTINUING DIRECTORS
Joan M. Dzurilla............... 72 1985 2000 Private investor; retired as Vice President
of The Strongsville Savings Bank in 1994.
Mrs. Dzurilla is a registered nurse
William A. Fraunfelder, Jr..... 55 1989 2001 Attorney; Referee in the Juvenile Division of
the Cuyahoga Court of Common Pleas for 30
years
Glenn W. Goist, D.D.S.......... 58 1990 2001 Practicing dentist for more than 25 years
Mike Kalinich, Sr.............. 68 1967 2000 Chairman of the Board since 1991. President
Chairman of the Board of the Kalinich Fence Company, Inc. for over
30 years. Director of Southwest Community
Health Center, Middleburg Heights, Ohio, and
Trustee Emeritus of the Strongsville Chamber
of Commerce
Thomas P. Perciak.............. 51 1982 2000 Managing Officer of The Strongsville Savings
President and Chief Executive Bank since April 1979; President and Chief
Officer Executive Officer since January 1985;
President and Chief Executive Officer of
Emerald since its inception in 1996. Member
of the Board of Trustees of The Strongsville
Chamber of Commerce, Advisory Board of St.
Andrew's Abbey and Southwest Community Health
Center Foundation. Chairman of the Southwest
Health Center Foundation Board
John F. Ziegler................ 46 1987 2001 Joined The Strongsville Savings Bank in 1975;
Executive Vice President and Treasurer since 1983; Chief Financial Officer
Chief Financial Officer since 1992; Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer of Emerald since its
inception in 1996
</TABLE>
Except as may be noted in this document, there are no family relationships
among any of the Emerald directors or executive officers. Except as may be
disclosed in this document, none of the directors and
53
<PAGE> 58
executive officers of Emerald serves as a director of any company that has a
class of securities registered under, or which is subject to the periodic
reporting requirements of, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or any investment
company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940. None of the
directors or executive officers of Emerald has been involved in any legal
proceedings concerning bankruptcy, either individually or in respect of any
businesses with which they have been involved, nor have any of these persons
been convicted of any crime, excluding traffic violations and similar minor
offenses.
THE EMERALD BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT SHAREHOLDERS VOTE FOR
ELECTION OF THE NOMINEES IDENTIFIED ABOVE TO SERVE AS DIRECTORS UNTIL THE 2002
ANNUAL MEETING OR UNTIL THE MERGER WITH FIFTH THIRD IS COMPLETED.
COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND BOARD ATTENDANCE
Since the holding company reorganization of The Strongsville Savings Bank
became effective on March 6, 1997, the Emerald board of directors has been
comprised of the same people who constitute the board of directors of The
Strongsville Savings Bank. The Emerald board of directors conducts its business
through regular and special meetings and through committees. All committees
report their activities to the Emerald board of directors monthly.
The Emerald board of directors met thirteen times in 1998. No director
attended less than 75% of the aggregate number of meetings of the board of
directors of The Strongsville Savings Bank or Emerald held in 1998 and the total
number of meetings held by all committees on which he or she served in 1998.
Emerald's board of directors selects nominees for election as directors.
Nominations may also be made by Emerald shareholders. According to Emerald's
code of regulations, shareholder nominations for director must be made in
writing and delivered to the Secretary of Emerald at least 60 days before
Emerald's annual meeting. A shareholder's nomination must contain information
specified in the Emerald code of regulations, including background information
concerning the shareholder's nominee, including name, age, business and home
address, relationships with the person making the recommendation, educational
background, description of the nominee's principal occupation and business
experience for the last five years, directorships or trusteeships in public
companies, the reasons the person is being recommended, and a statement that
such person would consent to serve as director. The shareholder's written
nomination must also indicate the name and address of the shareholder and the
number of shares of Emerald common stock beneficially owned by the shareholder.
Emerald's audit committee is comprised of Messrs. Bohnert, Fraunfelder and
Goist. The audit committee recommends the appointment of Emerald's independent
public accountants, reviews and approves the audit plan and fee estimate of the
independent public accountants, appraises the effectiveness of the internal and
external audit efforts, evaluates the adequacy and effectiveness of Emerald's
accounting policies and financial and accounting management, supervises
Emerald's internal auditor, and reviews and approves the annual financial
statements. Mr. Bohnert serves as Chairman of the Emerald audit committee. The
Emerald audit committee met four times in 1998.
The wage and salary committee of The Strongsville Savings Bank's board of
directors acts as Emerald's compensation committee. The wage and salary
committee reviews the performance of Emerald's managers, employees and officers
and recommends appropriate salaries, incentives and benefits. The wage and
salary committee does not determine the compensation and benefits paid to the
senior executive officers. The compensation and benefits of the senior executive
officers of Emerald is determined by the full board of directors. Messrs.
Perciak and Ziegler, the two most senior executive officers, do not participate
in the deliberations and voting upon their compensation and benefits. The
Strongsville Savings Bank's wage and salary committee met twice in 1998.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
In 1998, The Strongsville Savings Bank's wage and salary committee
consisted of Mrs. Dzurilla and Messrs. Kalinich and Perciak. Neither Mr.
Kalinich nor Mrs. Dzurilla is an officer of Emerald or The
54
<PAGE> 59
Strongsville Savings Bank. Although Mr. Kalinich was a Vice President of The
Strongsville Savings Bank until 1991, he was an officer in name only, with no
operational authority. Mrs. Dzurilla served as a Vice President of The
Strongsville Savings Bank from 1989 until 1994.
The Strongsville Savings Bank refers title insurance business to National
Land Title Insurance Company and City Title Company Agency, Inc. Joseph and
Michael Dzurilla, the adult sons of Director Joan M. Dzurilla, own the stock of
NLTI Financial, which owns 100% of National Land Title Insurance Company. City
Title Company Agency, Inc. is a real estate title insurance agency wholly owned
by National Land Title Insurance Company. City Title Company Agency, Inc.
performs title searches, title examinations and insurability determinations
related to title insurance commitments for mortgage loan transactions insured by
National Land Title Insurance Company. City Title Company Agency, Inc. and
National Land Title Insurance Company charge for title business work at a rate
consistent with the standards for that industry. City Title Company Agency, Inc.
performed services in 1998 related to loan transactions such as title insurance
and commitments, title examinations and post-closing services. Borrowers of The
Strongsville Savings Bank paid City Title Company Agency, Inc. $324,447.35 in
1998 for services related to loan transactions.
DIRECTORS' COMPENSATION
Each nonemployee director of Emerald received $650 for each Emerald board
of directors meeting held from January through April 1998, and $700 for each
Emerald board of directors meeting held thereafter. Mr. Kalinich received
additional compensation as Chairman of the Emerald board of directors, totaling
$21,167 in 1998. Nonemployee directors serving on committees, including the
executive committee, the wage and salary committee and the audit committee,
received fees of $300 for attendance at each committee meeting in 1998.
The foregoing cash compensation of Emerald directors has been paid to
directors for their service on the board of directors of The Strongsville
Savings Bank, and committees thereof. Since the formation of Emerald, none of
its executive officers or directors has received any cash remuneration from
Emerald, except that directors who serve on Emerald's option committee receive
fees for attendance at option committee meetings. Because Emerald's business
principally consists of acting as holding company for The Strongsville Savings
Bank, Emerald does not expect that cash compensation will be paid to officers of
Emerald in addition to that paid to them by The Strongsville Savings Bank.
55
<PAGE> 60
MANAGEMENT OF EMERALD
Set forth below are the names, ages and principal occupations in the last
five years of the executive officers of Emerald. These officers are elected
annually by the Emerald board of directors:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME AND POSITION AGE PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION IN THE LAST 5 YEARS
- ----------------- --- ----------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Thomas P. Perciak......................... 51 Chief Executive Officer and President of Emerald
Chief Executive Officer Financial Corp. since its inception in 1996 and
and President of The Strongsville Savings Bank since 1985. Mr.
Perciak has been the managing officer of the Bank
since 1979. He is also active in community
organizations and serves on the Board of Trustees
of the following organizations: The Strongsville
Chamber of Commerce, Advisory Board of St.
Andrew's Abbey, and Southwest Community Health
Center Foundation Board. Mr. Perciak also serves
as the Chairman of the Southwest Health Center
Foundation Board.
John F. Ziegler........................... 46 Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice
Chief Financial Officer President of Emerald Financial Corp. since its
and Executive Vice President inception in 1996 and of The Strongsville Savings
Bank since 1992. Mr. Ziegler has been employed by
the Bank since 1975, became the Treasurer in 1983
and has served as Vice President since 1988.
Paula M. Dewey............................ 54 Secretary and Vice President of Emerald Financial
Secretary and Vice President Corp. since its inception in 1996 and of The
Strongsville Savings Bank since 1992. Mrs. Dewey
has been employed by the Bank since 1978 and has
been Secretary of the Bank since January 1991.
She was elected Vice President responsible for
construction lending in January 1992; she has
been in charge of construction lending since 1987
and served as Assistant Vice President from 1987
until January 1992.
Cynthia W. Gannon......................... 41 Treasurer and Vice President of Emerald Financial
Treasurer and Vice President Corp. since its inception in 1996 and of The
Strongsville Savings Bank since 1994. Mrs. Gannon
has served as the Bank's Treasurer since January
30, 1992. She served as the Bank's Controller
from January 1988 through January 1992 and is a
certified public accountant.
William J. Harr, Jr....................... 36 Vice President of Emerald Financial Corp. since
Vice President 1998 and of The Strongsville Savings Bank since
1992. Mr. Harr has served as the Vice President
responsible for branch operations since 1992. He
served as branch manager of the Bank's main
office in Strongsville from January 1990 to
January 1992 and as a loan officer from July 1986
to January 1990.
</TABLE>
56
<PAGE> 61
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The following table shows the cash compensation paid by The Strongsville
Savings Bank in 1998, 1997 and 1996 to its most highly compensated executive
officers, including its chief executive officer. No other executive officer
received compensation, including salary and bonus, in excess of $100,000 in
1998.
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
LONG-TERM COMPENSATION
-----------------------------------
AWARDS PAYOUTS
ANNUAL COMPENSATION ------------------------ -------
---------------------------------- ($) (#)
($) RESTRICTED SECURITIES ($) ($)
NAME AND ($)(1) ($) OTHER ANNUAL STOCK UNDERLYING LTIP ALL OTHER
PRINCIPAL POSITION YEAR SALARY BONUS COMPENSATION AWARDS OPTIONS PAYOUTS COMPENSATION
------------------ ---- ------- ------- ------------ ---------- ---------- ------- ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Thomas P. Perciak....... 1998 219,200 131,515(2) (3) 0 80,000 0 38,185(4)
President and Chief 1997 199,200 103,431 (3) 0 14,000 0 35,268
Executive Officer 1996 191,500 101,274 (3) 0 0 0 12,155
John F. Ziegler......... 1998 144,000 86,369(2) (3) 0 80,000 0 23,875(4)
Executive Vice 1997 130,900 67,967 (3) 0 12,000 0 20,450
President and Chief 1996 125,800 66,529 (3) 0 0 0 15,081
Financial Officer
William J. Harr, Jr..... 1998 110,000 22,115(2) (3) 0 20,000 0 17,004(4)
Vice President 1997 88,400 27,524 (3) 0 6,000 0 10,112
1996 85,000 23,804 (3) 0 0 0 9,461
</TABLE>
- ---------------
(1) Includes amounts deferred at the election of the named executive officers
pursuant to The Strongsville Savings Bank's 401(k) Plan.
(2) The Strongsville Savings Bank gave a 1998 Christmas bonus to each employee,
including the three officers named in the Summary Compensation Table. The
Christmas bonus of each of Messrs. Perciak, Ziegler and Harr was $4,215,
$2,769 and $2,115, respectively. These amounts are included in the bonus
figures in the table. Mr. Harr was also awarded a year-end merit bonus of
$20,000. The bonus amounts reported are earned in the fiscal year noted even
though such amounts may be payable in subsequent years.
(3) Perquisites and other personal benefits have not exceeded the lesser of
$50,000 or ten percent (10%) of a named executive officer's salary and
bonus.
(4) Includes (i) the dollar amount of contributions by The Strongsville Savings
Bank to vested and unvested accounts under The Strongsville Savings Bank's
trusteed profit-sharing retirement plan and 401(k) Plan and (ii) the current
dollar value of the benefit realized or realizable as a result of The
Strongsville Savings Bank's payment of the premiums on split-dollar life
insurance policies. The dollar value of such benefit is calculated on an
actuarial basis for the period between payment of the premium by The
Strongsville Savings Bank and the anticipated date of repayment to The
Strongsville Savings Bank of premiums previously paid for the split-dollar
life insurance policies. The split dollar life insurance program is
structured so that all premium payments are returned to The Strongsville
Savings Bank when the executive attains age 65. The current dollar value of
the benefit to Messrs. Perciak and Ziegler of the split-dollar life
insurance premiums paid in 1998 is $18,563.76 and $4,253.83, respectively.
The current dollar value of the benefit to Mr. Harr of the split-dollar life
insurance premiums paid in 1998 is $1,481.52. The Strongsville Savings Bank
contributed $14,821 to Mr. Perciak's profit-sharing account in 1998 and made
discretionary contributions of $4,800 to his 401(k) Plan account. The bank
contributed $14,821 to Mr. Ziegler's profit-sharing account in 1998 and made
discretionary contributions of $4,800 to his 401(k) Plan account. The bank
contributed $11,559 to Mr. Harr's profit-sharing account in 1998 and made
discretionary contributions of $3,963 to his 401(k) Plan account.
STOCK OPTIONS. The following table relates to options granted in 1998 to
the Emerald executive officers named in the Summary Compensation Table. The 5%
and 10% assumed rates of appreciation are specified by the rules of the SEC.
They do not represent Emerald's estimates or projections of future prices for
Emerald's common stock. The exercise price of options granted in 1998 equaled
the average of the bid and asked prices
57
<PAGE> 62
of a share of Emerald common stock on the grant date. The options granted in
1998 to the identified Emerald executive officers were granted under Emerald's
1998 Stock Option and Incentive Plan.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
INDIVIDUAL GRANTS
------------------------------------------------------------
NUMBER OF POTENTIAL REALIZABLE VALUE AT
SECURITIES PERCENT OF ASSUMED ANNUAL RATES OF
UNDERLYING TOTAL OPTIONS STOCK PRICE APPRECIATION FOR
OPTIONS GRANTED TO EXERCISE OR OPTION TERM
GRANTED EMPLOYEES IN BASE PRICE EXPIRATION ------------------------------
NAME (#) FISCAL YEAR ($/SH) DATE 5% 10%
- ---- ---------- ------------- ----------- ---------- ------------ --------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Thomas P. Perciak.......... 80,000 25.72% $13.3125 April 18, 2008 $669,773 $1,697,336
John F. Ziegler............ 80,000 25.72% $13.3125 April 18, 2008 $669,773 $1,697,336
William J. Harr, Jr........ 20,000 6.43% $13.3125 April 18, 2008 $167,443 $ 424,334
</TABLE>
The following table shows the number and value of unexercised stock options
held on December 31, 1998 by the Emerald executive officers named in the Summary
Compensation Table, as well as information concerning their exercises of options
in 1998. The options have exercise prices per share equal to the average of the
closing bid and asked prices of Emerald common stock on the grant date and
expire 10 years after the grant date. The options were granted under Emerald's
1998 Stock Option and Incentive Plan and the 1994 Long-Term Incentive Plan.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SECURITIES UNDERLYING VALUE OF UNEXERCISED
UNEXERCISED OPTIONS AT FISCAL IN-THE-MONEY OPTIONS
SHARES YEAR END(#) AT FISCAL YEAR END($)*
ACQUIRED ON VALUE ------------------------------ ----------------------------
NAME EXERCISE(#) REALIZED($) EXERCISABLE UNEXERCISABLE EXERCISABLE UNEXERCISABLE
- ---- ----------- ----------- ------------ -------------- ----------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Thomas P. Perciak............ 0 $ 0 214,000 80,000 $1,315,000 $(195,000)
John F. Ziegler.............. 0 $ 0 156,000 80,000 $ 954,000 $(195,000)
William J. Harr, Jr.......... 46,000 $287,500 40,000 20,000 $ 237,125 $ (48,750)
</TABLE>
- ---------------
* Represents the aggregate market value of options to purchase Emerald common
stock awarded to the named executive officers, based upon (a) the $10.875
estimated fair market value per share of Emerald common stock on December 31,
1998 and (b) the exercise prices of $4.56 and $7.12 for exercisable options.
The $13.3125 exercise price of the unexercisable options exceeded the
estimated year-end fair market value per share of Emerald common stock.
All options granted to the identified Emerald executive officers under the
1994 Long-Term Incentive Plan had become exercisable by December 31, 1998.
Options granted to the identified executive officers under Emerald's 1998 Stock
Option and Incentive Plan were granted on April 17, 1998. A portion of the
options became exercisable on April 17, 1999. The remainder becomes exercisable
(a) incrementally over the 10-year term of the options or (b) upon shareholder
approval of the Affiliation Agreement between Emerald and Fifth Third, whichever
first occurs.
RETIREMENT PLAN INFORMATION. Neither Emerald nor The Strongsville Savings
Bank has a retirement plan for officers or employees providing defined benefits
based upon salary, years of service or other measures. Instead, The Strongsville
Savings Bank has implemented a profit-sharing plan under which The Strongsville
Savings Bank may make entirely discretionary cash contributions. The
Strongsville Savings Bank has also implemented a 401(k) Plan whereby matching
contributions will be made for each participating officer or employee who elects
to defer a portion of his or her salary for investment in the 401(k) Plan. The
amount of salary that may be deferred by any individual and the amount (and
vesting) of the matching contributions are subject to limitations (matching
contributions of up to 60% of the deferral, subject to maximum matching
contribution amount; no matching contributions for deferral in excess of 5% of
salary; incremental vesting of the matching contribution over a period of six
years).
Recognizing the importance of building and retaining a competent management
team, effective January 1, 1995 The Strongsville Savings Bank entered into
Executive Supplemental Benefit Agreements with six of its officers, including
the three executive officers identified in the Summary Compensation Table. The
Executive Supplemental Benefit Agreements were adopted following The
Strongsville Savings Bank board of directors review of a comprehensive
compensation study presented by KPMG LLP as compensation consultants. The
Executive Supplemental Benefit Agreements provide for payments in the event of
retirement,
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death, disability or a change in control. Under the terms of each agreement,
death, disability and post-employment/retirement benefits are provided to each
covered employee. By defining the amounts each executive will receive upon
formal retirement, each executive has been given what The Strongsville Savings
Bank board of directors believes to be a reasonable incentive to remain with The
Strongsville Savings Bank until retirement.
The Executive Supplemental Benefit Agreements of Messrs. Perciak, Ziegler
and Harr provide for payment of an annual benefit upon their retirement.
"Retirement Date" is defined in the Agreements to mean the first day of the
month following the executive officer's 65th birthday on which he or she elects
to retire (or an early retirement date that may be agreed to by The Strongsville
Savings Bank board of directors). The retirement benefit vests ratably each
year, becoming fully vested at age 65 or, if sooner, (i) upon death or permanent
disability or (ii) upon a change in control of Emerald. Rather than receiving
annual payments, Mr. Perciak and Mr. Ziegler may petition The Strongsville
Savings Bank board of directors or the appropriate committee thereof for payment
of the entire retirement benefit in one lump sum (discounted to the present
value at that time, using a 6% discount rate). The benefit payable in the event
of a change in control would also be paid in a lump sum, similarly discounted to
present value. Likewise, Mr. Perciak and Mr. Ziegler may petition for full
vesting of benefits if they choose to retire before reaching age 65.
Mr. Perciak's Executive Supplemental Benefit Agreement dated July 15, 1997
provides for annual payment for 20 years following retirement (assuming full
vesting) based on a July 1997 present value of $645,000 plus earnings or
appreciation thereon. His Executive Supplemental Benefit Agreement dated January
1, 1995, as amended July 15, 1997, provides for annual payment for 20 years
following retirement (assuming full vesting) in amounts ranging from $17,959 for
retirement in 1999 to $134,693 for retirement at age 65, or $269,739 as a lump
sum payment for a change in control in 1999.
Mr. Ziegler's Executive Supplemental Benefit Agreement dated July 15, 1997
provides for annual payment for 20 years following retirement (assuming full
vesting) based on a July 1997 present value of $307,827 plus earnings or
appreciation thereon. His Executive Supplemental Benefit Agreement dated January
1, 1995, as amended July 15, 1997, provides for annual payment for 20 years
following retirement (assuming full vesting) in amounts ranging from $2,565 for
retirement in 1999 to $25,647 for retirement at age 65, or $38,731 as a lump sum
payment for a change in control in 1999.
The retirement benefit payable to Mr. Harr under his Executive Supplemental
Benefit Agreement would be $23,585 annually for 20 years for retirement at age
65, or a lump sum of $18,701 for a change in control in 1999.
A payment in respect of a change in control would be made under the
Executive Supplemental Benefit Agreements if the executive officer is
involuntarily terminated (except for cause) or voluntarily terminates his or her
employment for "good reason." In general terms, "good reason" is defined to
include a change in the executive officer's status, title or responsibilities
that does not represent a promotion, a reduction in base salary, certain
relocations or a material reduction in benefits. Following the 1997 holding
company reorganization of The Strongsville Savings Bank, the Executive
Supplemental Benefit Agreements' definition of "change in control" was amended.
As amended, a "change in control" includes the following circumstances:
- the acquisition by a person or persons acting in concert of the power
to vote 25% or more of a class of Emerald's voting securities, or the
acquisition by a person of the power to direct Emerald's management or
policies, if the Emerald board of directors or the Office of Thrift
Supervision has made a determination that such acquisition constitutes
or will constitute an acquisition of control for the purposes of the
Savings and Loan Holding Company Act or the Change in Bank Control Act
and the regulations thereunder;
- during any period of two consecutive years, individuals who at the
beginning of the two-year period constitute the board of directors of
The Strongsville Savings Bank or Emerald cease for any reason to
constitute at least a majority thereof, unless the election of each
director who was not a director at the beginning of the two-year
period has been approved in advance by directors
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representing at least two thirds of the directors then in office who
were directors in office at the beginning of the period;
- Emerald shall have merged into or consolidated with another
corporation, or merged another corporation into Emerald, on a basis
whereby less than 50% of the total voting power of the surviving
corporation is represented by shares held by former shareholders of
Emerald prior to such merger or consolidation; or
- Emerald shall have sold substantially all of its assets to another
person. The term "person" refers to an individual, corporation,
partnership, trust, association, joint venture, pool, syndicate, sole
proprietorship, unincorporated organization or other entity.
Under the Executive Supplemental Benefit Agreement, the benefit payable to
Mr. Perciak would be $627,743 under his January 1, 1995 Executive Supplemental
Benefit Agreement and $541,354, plus earnings, under his July 15, 1997 Executive
Supplemental Benefit Agreement for a change in control in 1999 and involuntary
termination (except for cause) or voluntary termination for good reason within
six months thereafter. For Mr. Ziegler, the benefit payable under similar
circumstances would be $92,753 under his January 1, 1995 Executive Supplemental
Benefit Agreement and $268,340, plus earnings, under his July 15, 1997 Executive
Supplemental Benefit Agreement in the event of a change in control in 1999 and
involuntary termination (except for cause) or voluntary termination for good
reason within six months thereafter. Lastly, for Mr. Harr the benefit payable
would be $18,701. Change-in-control benefit payments under the Executive
Supplemental Benefit Agreements will be made in a lump sum.
Although the merger will constitute a change in control of Emerald under
the terms of the Executive Supplemental Benefit Agreements, the affiliation
agreement provides that Fifth Third will honor, assume and perform the
obligations of Emerald and The Strongsville Savings Bank under the Executive
Supplemental Benefit Agreements of Messrs. Perciak and Ziegler. Messrs. Perciak
and Ziegler have agreed that the change in control represented by the merger
with Fifth Third will not cause accelerated vesting of their benefits under the
Executive Supplemental Benefit Agreements. Accordingly, Messrs. Perciak and
Ziegler will not be entitled to receive at completion of the merger the
change-in-control payments specified in their January 1, 1995 and July 15, 1997
Executive Supplemental Benefit Agreements. The change-in-control, retirement,
disability or other payments specified in those agreements could, however,
become owing to Messrs. Perciak and Ziegler in the future.
Messrs. Perciak, Ziegler and Harr are the owners of the split-dollar
insurance policies on their lives. The split-dollar insurance policy on Mr.
Perciak's life had a net present value of $163,482 at the time of its
acquisition in 1997. Mr. Perciak is the owner of the policy and he and his
successors or assigns are entitled to exercise all rights thereunder. The policy
has been collaterally assigned to The Strongsville Savings Bank. The purpose of
the collateral assignment is to secure repayment to The Strongsville Savings
Bank of premiums paid on the policy, which premiums will be repaid from proceeds
of the policy upon Mr. Perciak's death or earlier termination of the policy. The
split-dollar insurance policy on Mr. Ziegler's life had a net present value of
$71,203 at the time of its acquisition in 1997. Mr. Ziegler is the owner of the
policy and he and his successors or assigns are entitled to exercise all rights
thereunder. This policy has also been collaterally assigned to The Strongsville
Savings Bank.
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS. Each of Mr. Perciak and Mr. Ziegler serves pursuant
to an employment agreement with The Strongsville Savings Bank. The employment
agreements have three-year terms, renewed at each anniversary date for an
additional year based upon a determination of The Strongsville Savings Bank
board of directors that the performance of the executive has met the board's
requirements and standards. The effect of the annual renewal is that each
contract then has a new three-year term. Each contract was renewed for an
additional year by board action on November 18, 1998.
Under the terms of his employment agreement, Mr. Perciak's base salary,
currently $230,160, is subject to annual adjustment by the board of directors.
He is also entitled to annual incentive compensation of 2.5% of Emerald's
pre-tax profits (up to 50% of base salary). If Mr. Perciak (i) is involuntarily
terminated (other than for cause) within six months after a change in control of
Emerald or (ii) voluntarily terminates his
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employment for good reason within six months after a change in control of
Emerald, he will receive his base salary for the remaining term of the
employment agreement. For purposes of the change-in-control features of the
employment agreement, "change in control" is defined in the same fashion as
"change in control" for purposes of the Executive Supplemental Benefit
Agreements. See, " -- Retirement Plan Information."
Under the terms of his employment agreement, Mr. Ziegler's base salary,
currently $151,200, is likewise subject to annual adjustment by the board of
directors. He is also entitled to annual incentive compensation of 1% of
Emerald's pre-tax profits (up to 50% of base salary). Additionally, if Mr.
Ziegler (i) is terminated at any time other than for cause, (ii) voluntarily
terminates his employment for good reason within six months after a change in
control (defined in the same manner as in Mr. Perciak's agreement) or (iii) is
involuntarily terminated within six months following a change in control, he
will receive his base salary for the remaining term of the employment agreement.
Mr. Perciak's and Mr. Ziegler's compensation arrangements also include a
split-dollar life insurance policy and Executive Supplemental Benefit
Agreements. See, " -- Retirement Plan Information."
Although Messrs. Perciak and Ziegler are expected to serve as officers of
Fifth Third Bank, Northwestern Ohio, N.A. after the merger, Fifth Third has
agreed in the affiliation agreement to honor the change-in-control provisions of
their employment agreements and to pay to them at the effective time of the
merger the change-in-control payments specified therein, except to the extent
any such payment would constitute an "excess parachute payment" under sec.280(G)
of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. Accordingly, Mr. Perciak expects to
receive a change-in-control payment of approximately $ under his
employment agreement, and Mr. Ziegler expects to receive a change-in-control
payment of approximately $235,000 under his employment agreement.
CHANGE-IN-CONTROL ARRANGEMENTS
SEVERANCE AGREEMENTS. The Strongsville Savings Bank has entered into
severance agreements with eight officers other than Messrs. Perciak and Ziegler,
including Mr. William J. Harr, Jr., an executive officer identified in the
Summary Compensation Table and Mrs. Deborah A. Perciak, Vice President of The
Strongsville Savings Bank and spouse of Thomas P. Perciak, Emerald's and The
Strongsville Savings Bank's President and Chief Executive Officer. Three of
these officers, Mrs. Dewey, Mrs. Gannon and Mr. Harr, also serve as officers of
Emerald. Each severance agreement has a term of one year, renewable each year
for an additional year upon a determination by The Strongsville Savings Bank
board of directors that the executive has met the board's performance standards.
Each severance agreement terminates when the executive reaches the retirement
age of 65.
Each severance agreement provides that in the event of the involuntary
termination of the executive (other than for cause) or the executive's voluntary
termination for good reason within six months after a change in control, the
executive would receive a lump sum payment equal to the executive's annual base
salary, plus the continuation of benefits until the earlier of the executive's
employment by another employer or the expiration of twelve months from the
executive's date of termination. If the executive incurs legal fees or expenses
enforcing the severance agreement, Emerald or The Strongsville Savings Bank
would pay all such fees and expenses if the executive prevails, and an amount up
to $25,000 if the executive does not prevail. Payments to the executives under
the severance agreements would not constitute excess parachute payments under
the Internal Revenue Code.
The definition in the severance agreements of "change in control" was
amended in 1997. As amended, a change in control is defined in the same manner
that term is defined for purposes of the Executive Supplemental Benefit
Agreements. See, " -- Retirement Plan Information" above.
Although some or all of these officers are expected to continue to serve as
officers or employees of Fifth Third Bank, Northwestern Ohio, N.A. after the
merger, Fifth Third has agreed to honor the change-in-control provisions of
these severance agreements and to pay them at the effective time of the merger,
except to the extent any such payment would constitute an "excess parachute
payment" under sec.280(G) of the Internal
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Revenue Code. Accordingly, Mr. Harr expects to receive a change-in-control
payment of approximately $115,500 and the other seven officers expect to receive
an aggregate of approximately $541,900.
BOARD REPORT ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The full Emerald board of directors determines the executive compensation
to be paid to the two most senior executive officers, Messrs. Perciak and
Ziegler. Mr. Perciak and Mr. Ziegler are excluded from discussion and board
deliberation regarding compensation paid to them.
For other officers of Emerald, the function of administering executive
compensation policies is currently performed by The Strongsville Savings Bank's
wage and salary committee. In this process, officers are evaluated on their
performance during the year compared to The Strongsville Savings Bank's
performance, thrift industry compensation surveys and comparable positions at
other thrift institutions. Because the Emerald board of directors regards
Messrs. Perciak and Ziegler as having the greatest impact on corporate
performance, the board members have established a compensation philosophy of
providing base pay and incentive compensation for these executive officers
reflective of The Strongsville Savings Bank's financial performance compared to
similarly situated thrifts. For individuals other than Messrs. Perciak and
Ziegler, the wage and salary committee seeks to establish executive officer base
salaries at a level commensurate with corporate performance, peer group
competitors and the individual officers' performance. The Emerald board and the
wage and salary committee continue to review all elements of executive
compensation in order to ensure that the total compensation program, and each
compensation element, meets Emerald's and The Strongsville Savings Bank's
business objectives and philosophy.
As a general rule, it has been the Emerald board of directors' and the
option committee's policy to take into account tax and financial accounting
considerations in connection with the granting of options or other forms of
grants and awards under the 1994 Long-Term Incentive Plan and the 1998 Stock
Option and Incentive Plan. In 1993, the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act added
Section 162(m) to the Internal Revenue Code, the effect of which is generally to
eliminate the deductibility of compensation over $1 million paid to certain
highly compensated executive officers of publicly held corporations, such as the
executive officers identified in the "Summary Compensation Table." Section
162(m) applies to all remuneration (both cash and non-cash) that would otherwise
be deductible for tax years beginning on or after January 1, 1994, unless
expressly excluded. Although the Emerald board and option committee reserve the
right to make grants and awards under the 1994 Long-Term Incentive Plan and the
1998 Stock Option and Incentive Plan under circumstances in which the
compensation component thereof would not be fully deductible for federal income
tax purposes, they do not currently expect to do so.
COMPENSATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Mr. Perciak received an increase in base salary for 1998 of $20,000, or
approximately 10%. Although the Emerald board of directors generally takes into
consideration the overall performance of The Strongsville Savings Bank, the
board does not use any specific measures or weighting of that performance in
establishing Mr. Perciak's base salary. Mr. Perciak's compensation package is
formalized in an employment agreement. See, " -- Executive Compensation." Mr.
Perciak and Executive Vice President Ziegler are eligible to receive up to 50%
of base salary in the form of annual incentive compensation under the terms of
their employment contracts. Mr. Perciak earned incentive compensation in fiscal
year 1998 for the maximum amount possible under his employment contract.
In reviewing Mr. Perciak's performance as President and Chief Executive
Officer of Emerald and the justification for renewal of his employment contract
for an additional year, the Emerald directors favorably considered Mr. Perciak's
performance relative to the following factors: the increase in fee income, the
growth in deposits, loans and profitability attributable to The Strongsville
Savings Bank's corporate performance (return on assets and return on equity),
the volume of residential acquisition and development lending attributable to
Mr. Perciak, the market share performance of The Strongsville Savings Bank and
The Strongsville Savings Bank's compliance with safe and sound banking
principles and Community Reinvestment Act/consumer regulation requirements. At
its November 18, 1998 meeting, the Emerald board
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determined that each of Messrs. Perciak and Ziegler had met the standards of the
board for executive officer performance. Therefore, their employment contracts
were renewed for one additional year.
Submitted by Emerald's Board of Directors: Thomas P. Perciak, John F.
Ziegler, George P. Bohnert, Jr., Joan M. Dzurilla, William A. Fraunfelder,
Jr., Glenn W. Goist, Mike Kalinich, Sr., Kenneth J. Piechowski and John J.
Plucinsky
PERFORMANCE GRAPH
The stock of The Strongsville Savings Bank began trading publicly on
October 5, 1993, having been sold in an initial public offering at the price of
$3.25 per share (adjusted for subsequent stock splits). Effective March 6, 1997,
each share of The Strongsville Savings Bank stock was converted into one share
of Emerald common stock, and The Strongsville Savings Bank became a wholly owned
subsidiary of Emerald. Emerald common stock was approved for designation as a
Nasdaq National Market security on March 6, 1997.
The following graph compares the cumulative total shareholder return on
Emerald common stock to the cumulative total return of (i) a broad index of the
National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. Automated Quotations System
("Nasdaq") and (ii) the MG Savings and Loan Index, which is comprised of 360
publicly traded savings associations and thrift holding companies. The graph
compares cumulative total shareholder return for the period commencing December
31, 1993 and ending December 31, 1998, assuming that $100 was invested on
December 31, 1993 and that all dividends were reinvested.
COMPARISON OF THE CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN
AMONG EMERALD FINANCIAL CORP.
MG S&L INDEX, AND NASDAQ MARKET INDEX
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EMERALD FINANCIAL NASDAQ MG S&L
----------------- ------ ------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
'12/31/93' 100 100 100
'12/31/94' 105.4 104.99 95.79
'12/31/95' 116.77 136.18 151.72
'12/31/96' 137.83 169.23 198
'12/31/97' 276.89 207 332.91
'12/31/98' 276.04 291.96 291.84
</TABLE>
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TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PERSONS
Some of the Emerald directors and officers, as well as firms and companies
with which they are associated, are and have been customers of The Strongsville
Savings Bank and have engaged in various banking transactions with The
Strongsville Savings Bank in 1998. Loan transactions with these persons were
made in the ordinary course of business on substantially the same terms,
including interest rates and collateral, prevailing at the time for comparable
transactions with others, and did not present more than a normal risk of
collectibility or other unfavorable features.
SECTION 16(A) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires Emerald's
directors and executive officers, as well as persons who own more than 10% of a
registered class of Emerald's equity securities, to file with the SEC initial
reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership of Emerald common
stock. Based solely on review of the copies of such reports furnished to Emerald
and written representations to Emerald, to the best of Emerald's knowledge all
Section 16(a) filing requirements applicable to its executive officers,
directors and greater than 10% beneficial owners were complied with in 1998.
However, Director Piechowski purchased 454.545 shares through a voluntary
contribution to Emerald's dividend reinvestment plan in September 1998, but did
not file a Form 4 with the Securities and Exchange Commission to reflect the
purchase until October 26, 1998.
SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS
The proxy is solicited by Emerald's management and board of directors and
confers discretionary authority to vote on any matters that properly come before
the annual meeting or any adjournments thereof. Article I, Section G of
Emerald's code of regulations states that no business is eligible for
consideration at an annual or special meeting of shareholders unless a written
statement setting forth the business and the purpose therefor is delivered to
the Emerald board of directors not less than five days prior to the annual or
special meeting at which such business is to be taken up. If any matter not set
forth in the Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders is properly brought before
the 1999 Annual Meeting, the persons named as proxies will vote thereon in
accordance with their best judgment.
If the affiliation agreement is not adopted or the merger is not completed
before the Emerald 2000 annual meeting, Emerald plans to hold its 2000 annual
meeting on April 20, 2000. In order for a shareholder proposal to be included in
next year's proxy statement, it must be received by the Secretary at Emerald's
office at 14092 Pearl Road, Strongsville, Ohio 44136 by November 19, 1999.
If a shareholder intends to present a proposal at the 2000 annual meeting
of shareholders without seeking to include the proposal in Emerald's proxy
materials for that meeting (assuming the merger is not completed by that time
and, therefore, that Emerald holds an annual meeting in the year 2000),
Emerald's management proxies will be entitled to use the discretionary voting
authority that will be contained in the proxies for the 2000 annual meeting of
shareholders to vote on the shareholder's proposal at the 2000 annual meeting,
unless prior notice of the proposal is given to Emerald. Prior notice must be
given to Emerald at least 45 days before the anticipated March 20, 2000 proxy
mailing date for the 2000 annual meeting of shareholders. Accordingly, a
stockholder who desires to present a proposal at the 2000 annual meeting without
seeking to include the proposal in Emerald's proxy materials for that meeting
should provide notice of the proposal to Emerald no later than February 2, 2000.
If the shareholder fails to do so, Emerald's management proxies for the 2000
annual meeting will be entitled to use their discretionary voting authority on
that proposal, without any discussion of the matter in Emerald's proxy
materials.
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INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
The Emerald board of directors has appointed the firm of KPMG LLP as
Emerald's independent auditors for the year ending December 31, 1999. KPMG LLP
has acted as Emerald's independent auditors since September 17, 1997.
Representatives of KPMG LLP will be present at the annual meeting. They
will be given an opportunity to make a statement if they desire to do so and
will be available to respond to appropriate questions.
Effective September 17, 1997, the engagement of Deloitte & Touche LLP as
Emerald's independent auditors was terminated by Emerald. The decision to change
accountants was approved by the Emerald board of directors upon the
recommendation of the Emerald audit committee. The audit reports of Deloitte &
Touche LLP on the consolidated financial statements of Emerald and subsidiaries
as of and for the years ended December 31, 1996 and 1995 did not contain any
adverse opinion or disclaimer of opinion, nor were they qualified or modified as
to uncertainty, audit scope or accounting principles. In connection with the
audits of the two fiscal years ended December 31, 1996 and the subsequent
interim period through September 17, 1997, there were no disagreements with
Deloitte & Touche LLP on any matter of accounting principles or practices,
financial statement disclosure or auditing scope or procedures, which
disagreements if not resolved to their satisfaction would have caused Deloitte &
Touche LLP to reference to the subject matters of the disagreements in
connection with Deloitte & Touche LLP's opinions. Additionally, there were no
disagreements with Deloitte & Touche LLP regarding any of these matters, either
those resolved to their satisfaction or those not resolved to their
satisfaction. None of the events listed in Item 304(a)(1)(v)(A) through (D) of
Regulation S-K promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933 occurred during the
fiscal years ended December 31, 1995 or 1996 or the subsequent interim period
from January 1, 1997 through September 17, 1997. During the fiscal years ended
December 31, 1995 and 1996 and the subsequent interim period from January 1,
1997 through September 17, 1997, there was no consultation with KPMG LLP
regarding: (1) application of accounting principles to a specified transaction,
either completed or proposed, or the type of audit opinion that might be
rendered on Emerald's financial statements; or (2) any matter that was the
subject of disagreement (as defined in paragraph 304(a)(1)(iv) of Regulation
S-K) or a reportable event (as defined in paragraph 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation
S-K).
EFFECT OF GOVERNMENTAL POLICIES
The earnings of both Emerald and Fifth Third and their subsidiaries are
affected not only by domestic and foreign economic conditions, but also by the
monetary and fiscal policies of the United States and its agencies, particularly
the Federal Reserve Board, foreign governments and other official agencies. The
Federal Reserve Board can and does implement national monetary policy, such as
the curbing of inflation and combating of recession, by its open market
operations in United States Government securities, control of the discount rate
applicable to borrowings and the establishment of reserve requirements against
deposits and certain liabilities of depository institutions. The actions of the
Federal Reserve Board influence the growth of bank loans, investments and
deposits and affect interest rates charged on loans or paid on deposits. The
nature and impact of future changes in monetary and fiscal policies are not
predictable.
From time to time various proposals are made in the United States Congress
and in state legislatures and before various regulatory authorities that would
alter the powers or the existing regulatory framework for banks, bank holding
companies, savings banks and other financial institutions. It is impossible to
predict whether any of the proposals will be adopted and the impact, if any, of
their adoption on the business of Emerald or Fifth Third and their subsidiaries.
REGULATION OF FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS
The following is a discussion of some of the regulatory requirements
applicable to bank holding companies, banks, savings and loan holding companies
and savings banks. To the extent that the following information describes
statutory and regulatory provisions, it is qualified in its entirety by
reference to the particular statutory and regulatory provisions. In addition to
being governed by federal and state laws
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specifically governing bank holding companies, banks, savings and loan holding
companies and savings banks, Fifth Third, Emerald and each of their respective
subsidiaries are also governed by the corporate law of their state of
incorporation to the extent these laws do not conflict with the laws
specifically governing bank holding companies, banks, savings and loan holding
companies and savings banks.
HOLDING COMPANY REGULATION
BANK HOLDING COMPANIES IN GENERAL. As a bank holding company, Fifth Third
is registered with and subject to regulation by the Federal Reserve Board. A
bank holding company is required to file with the Federal Reserve Board an
annual report and such additional information as the Federal Reserve Board may
require pursuant to the Bank Holding Company Act.
The Federal Reserve Board also may make examinations of a holding company
and each of its subsidiaries. The Bank Holding Company Act requires that the
Federal Reserve Board must first approve a bank holding company's acquisition of
substantially all of the assets of any bank, or acquisition of ownership or
control of any voting shares of any bank if, after such acquisition, the bank
holding company would own or control directly or indirectly, more than 5% of the
voting shares of such bank.
The Bank Holding Company Act also restricts the types of businesses and
operations in which a bank holding company and its subsidiaries (other than bank
subsidiaries) may engage. Generally, permissible activities are limited to
banking and activities found by the Federal Reserve Board to be so closely
related to banking as to be a proper incident thereto.
Federal law provides that an insured institution shall be liable for any
loss incurred by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation in connection with
the default or potential default of, or federal assistance provided to, an
insured institution which is controlled by the same holding company. Such loss
would be apportioned among all of the insured institutions controlled by the
holding company.
SAVINGS AND LOAN HOLDING COMPANIES IN GENERAL. Emerald is a unitary savings
and loan holding company subject to the regulatory oversight, examination and
enforcement authority of the Office of Thrift Supervision. Emerald is required
to register and file periodic reports with the Office of Thrift Supervision. If
the Office of Thrift Supervision determines that the continuation of a
particular activity by a savings and loan holding company constitutes a serious
threat to the financial condition of its subsidiary institutions, the Office of
Thrift Supervision may impose restrictions on the holding company. Such
restrictions may include limiting the payment of dividends, transactions with
affiliates or any other activities deemed to pose a serious threat to the
subsidiary institutions. Other than these limitations, the business of a unitary
savings and loan holding company such as Emerald is subject to no other
regulatory restrictions under federal law.
Generally, no savings and loan holding company may (1) acquire or retain
control of a savings association or another savings and loan holding company or
control the assets thereof or (2) acquire or retain more than 5% of the voting
shares of a savings association or holding company thereof, which is not a
subsidiary, without the prior written approval of the Director of the Office of
Thrift Supervision. Except with the prior approval of the Director of the Office
of Thrift Supervision, no director or officer of a savings and loan holding
company or person owning or controlling by proxy or otherwise more than 25% of
such company's stock may also acquire control of any savings institution, other
than a subsidiary institution, or any other savings and loan holding company.
Congress is considering legislation which would eliminate the separate
federal regulation of savings and loan associations. Pursuant to such
legislation, Congress may eliminate the Office of Thrift Supervision, as a
result of which The Strongsville Savings Bank may be regulated under federal law
as a bank. Such change in regulation could likely change the range of activities
in which Emerald may engage.
In addition, Emerald might become subject to different holding company
regulations which may limit the activities in which Emerald may engage and may
subject Emerald to other additional regulatory requirements, including separate
capital requirements. Emerald cannot now predict when or whether Congress may
actually pass legislation regarding the regulatory requirements of Emerald or
The Strongsville Savings Bank. Although such legislation may change the
activities in which Emerald or The Strongsville Savings Bank are authorized
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to engage, it is not anticipated that the current activities of Emerald or The
Strongsville Savings Bank will be materially affected by those activity limits.
ACQUISITIONS OF SAVINGS ASSOCIATIONS BY HOLDING COMPANIES. Section 4 of the
Bank Holding Company Act prohibits bank holding companies from acquiring or
retaining shares of any company that is not a bank or is engaging in any
activity other than managing and controlling banks, except under certain
circumstances. The primary exception permits bank holding companies to conduct
activities and acquire companies solely in activities the Federal Reserve Board
has determined to be closely related to banking and a proper incident thereto.
Section 346 of the Reigle Community Development and Regulatory Improvement Act
of 1994 ("Section 346") amended Section 4 of the Bank Holding Company Act to
establish a new notice procedure for obtaining Federal Reserve Board approval
under Section 4(a)(2) and 4(c)(8) of the Bank Holding Company Act. Under Section
346, a proposal requiring Federal Reserve Board approval under Section 4(a)(2)
or 4(c)(8) may be consummated 60 days after providing the Federal Reserve Board
with complete written notice of the proposal, unless the notice period is
extended as provided in the statute. Section 346 also permits proposals to be
consummated at any time during this notice period if approved by the Federal
Reserve Board during this period. This interim rule replaced the application
procedures of Section 4(c)(8) of the Bank Holding Company Act with a new notice
procedure and streamlined the procedures for obtaining Federal Reserve Board
approval for nonbanking proposals in several respects. The interim rule
contemplates action by the Federal Reserve Board on nonbanking proposals
involving listed activities (including the acquisition of a thrift or thrift
assets) within 30 days after a notice containing all of the information required
by the rule has been received by the Federal Reserve Board. In approving the
activities contained in such a notice, the Federal Reserve Board is precluded
from opposing any restrictions on transactions between the bank holding company
and the acquired savings association, except as required by Section 23A or 23B
of the Federal Reserve Act or any other applicable law.
CAPITAL REQUIREMENTS
CAPITAL REQUIREMENTS FOR FIFTH THIRD. The Federal Reserve Board, the Office
of the Comptroller of the Currency and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
maintain guidelines to implement risk-based capital requirements for bank
holding companies, state member banks, national banks and state nonmember banks,
respectively. The Strongsville Savings Bank will merge into Fifth Third Bank,
Northwestern Ohio, N.A., a national bank regulated by the Office of the
Comptroller of the Currency. The guidelines provide for a systematic analytical
framework that makes regulatory capital requirements more sensitive to
differences in risk profiles among banking organizations, takes off-balance
sheet exposures into explicit account in assessing capital adequacy and
minimizes disincentives to holding liquid, low-risk assets.
Under the guidelines, banking organizations are required to have capital
equivalent to 8% of assets, weighted by risk. Banking organizations must have at
least 4% Tier 1 capital, which consists of core capital elements including
common shareholders' equity, retained earnings and perpetual preferred stock, to
risk -- weighted assets. The other half of required capital (Tier 2) can
include, among other supplementary capital elements, limited-life preferred
stock and subordinated debt and loan loss reserves up to certain limits. The
banking regulatory authorities also require institutions to have a minimum
leverage ratio (Tier 1 capital to average assets) of 4%.
Under Federal Reserve Board policy, a holding company is expected to act as
a source of financial strength to each subsidiary bank and to commit resources
to support each of its subsidiaries. This support may be required at times when
the holding company may not find itself able to provide it.
Fifth Third, and each of its subsidiary depository institutions, is in
compliance with both the current leverage ratios and the final risk-based
capital standards. As of March 31, 1999, Fifth Third had a leverage ratio of
%, its Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio was % and its total risk-based
capital ratio was %.
CAPITAL REQUIREMENTS FOR EMERALD. Because Emerald is a unitary savings and
loan holding company, it is not subject to any capital maintenance requirements.
The Strongsville Savings Bank, however, is required by applicable law and
regulations to meet certain minimum capital requirements. The capital standards
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include a leverage limit, or core capital requirement, a tangible capital
requirement, and a risk-based capital requirement.
For The Strongsville Savings Bank, the leverage limit requires "core
capital" of at least 3% of total assets. "Core capital" is comprised of common
stockholders' equity (including retained earnings), noncumulative perpetual
preferred stock and related surplus, minority interests in consolidated
subsidiaries, certain nonwithdrawable accounts and pledged deposits of mutual
associations.
The tangible capital requirement provides that The Strongsville Savings
Bank must maintain "tangible capital" of not less than 1.5% of its adjusted
total assets. "Tangible capital" is defined as core capital minus any
"intangible assets."
Pursuant to the risk-based capital requirement, The Strongsville Savings
Bank must maintain "risk-based capital" in an amount equal to not less than 8%
of risk-weighted assets. Risk-based capital is defined as core capital plus
certain additional items of capital.
The Office of Thrift Supervision has adopted an interest rate risk
component to the risk-based capital requirement. Pursuant to that requirement, a
savings association would have to measure the effect of an immediate 200 basis
point change in interest rates on the value of its portfolio, as determined
under the methodology established by the Office of Thrift Supervision. If the
measured interest rate risk is above the level deemed normal under the
regulation, the association will be required to deduct one-half of that excess
exposure from its total capital when determining its level of risk-based
capital. The Office of Thrift Supervision has the authority to impose a higher
individualized capital requirement on any savings association it deems to have
excess interest rate risk. The Office of Thrift Supervision also may adjust the
risk-based capital requirement on an individual basis for any association to
take into account risks due to concentrations of credit and non-traditional
activities.
PROMPT CORRECTIVE ACTION. The Office of Thrift Supervision and other
federal bank regulatory agencies have adopted regulations governing prompt
corrective action to resolve the problems of capital deficient and otherwise
troubled savings associations and banking organizations. At each successively
lower defined capital category, an institution is subject to more restrictive
and numerous mandatory or discretionary regulatory actions or limits, and the
applicable agency has less flexibility in determining how to resolve the
problems of the institution. The agencies have defined these capital levels as
follows: (1) well-capitalized institutions must have total risk-based capital of
at least 10%, core or Tier 1 risk-based capital (consisting only of items that
qualify for inclusion in core or Tier 1 capital) of at least 6% and core or Tier
1 capital of at least 5%; (2) adequately capitalized institutions are those that
meet the regulatory minimum of total risk-based capital of at least 8%, core or
Tier 1 risk-based capital (consisting only of items that qualify for inclusion
in core or Tier 1 capital) of at least 4% and core or Tier 1 capital of at least
4% (except for institutions receiving the highest examination rating and with an
acceptable level of risk, in which case the core or Tier 1 capital level is at
least 3%); (3) undercapitalized institutions are those that do not meet
regulatory limits, but that are not significantly undercapitalized; (4)
significantly undercapitalized institutions have total risk-based capital of
less than 6%, core or Tier 1 risk-based capital (consisting only of items that
qualify for inclusion in core or Tier 1 capital) of less than 3% and core or
Tier 1 capital of less than 3%; and (5) critically undercapitalized institutions
are those with core or Tier 1 capital of less than 2% of total assets. In
addition, the agency generally can downgrade an institution's capital category,
notwithstanding its capital level, if, after notice and opportunity for hearing,
the institution is deemed to be engaging in an unsafe or unsound practice,
because the institution has not corrected deficiencies that resulted in the
institution receiving a less than satisfactory examination rating on matters
other than capital or the institution is deemed to be in an unsafe or unsound
condition.
An undercapitalized institution must submit a capital restoration plan to
the applicable agency within 45 days after it becomes undercapitalized. Such
institution will be subject to increased monitoring and asset growth
restrictions and will be required to obtain prior approval for acquisitions,
branching and engaging in new lines of business. Furthermore, critically
undercapitalized institutions must be placed in conservatorship or receivership
within 90 days of reaching that capitalization level, except under limited
circumstances. The
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capital levels of The Strongsville Savings Bank at March 31, 1999, met the
standards for well-capitalized institutions.
Federal law prohibits a financial institution from making a capital
distribution to anyone or paying management fees to any person having control of
the institution if, after such distribution or payment, the institution would be
undercapitalized. In addition, each company controlling an undercapitalized
institution must guarantee that the institution will comply with its capital
restoration plan until the institution has been adequately capitalized on an
average during each of the four preceding calendar quarters and must provide
adequate assurances of performance. The aggregate liability pursuant to such
guarantee is limited to the lesser of (a) an amount equal to 5% of the
institution's total assets at the time it became undercapitalized or (b) the
amount necessary to bring the institution into compliance with all capital
standards applicable to such institution at the time the institution fails to
comply with its capital restoration plan.
REGULATION OF BANKS
The operations of the subsidiary banks of Fifth Third are subject to
requirements and restrictions under federal and state law, including
requirements to maintain reserves against deposits, restrictions on the types
and amounts of loans that may be granted and the interest that may be charged
thereon, and limitations on the types of investments that may be made and the
types of services which may be offered. Various consumer laws and regulations
also affect the operations of these banking subsidiaries.
National banks are subject to the supervision of and are regularly examined
by the Comptroller of the Currency. In addition, national banks must be members
of the Federal Reserve System and their deposits are insured by the Federal
Deposit Insurance Corporation and, as such, are subject to regulation and
examination by each agency. State-chartered banking corporations are subject to
federal and state regulation of their business and activities, including, in the
case of banks chartered in Ohio, by the Ohio Division of Financial Institutions,
in the case of banks chartered in Kentucky, by the Kentucky Department of
Financial Institutions, in the case of banks chartered in Indiana, by the
Indiana Department of Financial Institutions, and in the case of banks chartered
in Florida, the Florida Department of Banking and Finance.
REGULATION OF SAVINGS ASSOCIATIONS
SUPERVISION AND EXAMINATION. The Office of Thrift Supervision is
responsible for the regulation and supervision of all savings associations,
including The Strongsville Savings Bank and Fifth Third's federal savings bank
subsidiary, Fifth Third Bank, Southwest, F.S.B.
The Office of Thrift Supervision issues regulations governing the
operations of savings associations, regularly examines such institutions and
imposes assessments on savings associations based on their asset size to cover
the costs of this supervision and examination. It also promulgates regulations
that prescribe permissible activities for federally chartered associations,
including the types of lending that such associations may engage in and the
investments in real estate, subsidiaries and securities they may make. The
Office of Thrift Supervision also may initiate enforcement actions against
savings associations and certain persons affiliated with them for violations of
laws or regulations or for engaging in unsafe or unsound practices. If the
grounds provided by law exist, the Office of Thrift Supervision may appoint a
conservator or receiver for a savings association.
Savings associations are also subject to regulatory oversight under various
consumer protection and fair lending laws. These laws govern, among other
things, truth-in-lending disclosure, equal credit opportunity, fair credit
reporting and community reinvestment. Failure to abide by federal laws and
regulations governing community reinvestment could limit the ability of an
institution to open a new branch or engage in a merger transaction.
LIQUIDITY. Office of Thrift Supervision regulations require that a savings
association maintain an average daily balance of liquid assets (cash, certain
time deposits, bankers' acceptances, and specified United States Government,
state or federal agency obligations) equal to a monthly average of not less than
4% of its net withdrawable savings deposits plus borrowings payable in one year
or less. Monetary penalties may be
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imposed upon associations failing to meet liquidity requirements. The average
eligible liquidity of The Strongsville Savings Bank at March 31, 1999, was
approximately $ million, or %, and exceeded the applicable 4% liquidity
requirement by approximately $ million.
QUALIFIED THRIFT LENDER TEST. Savings associations are required to meet the
QTL test. The QTL test requires savings associations to maintain a specified
level of investments in assets that are generally related to domestic
residential real estate. If a savings association fails to meet the QTL test,
the association and its holding company become subject to certain operating and
regulatory restrictions. A savings association that fails to meet the QTL test
will not be eligible for new Federal Home Loan Bank advances. If The
Strongsville Savings Bank were to fail the QTL test, Emerald would lose its
status as a unitary savings and loan holding company and could be subject to
activity restrictions as a consequence. On March 31, 1999, The Strongsville
Savings Bank met the QTL test.
LIMITATIONS ON CAPITAL DISTRIBUTIONS. The Office of Thrift Supervision
imposes various restrictions or requirements on the ability of associations to
make capital distributions, including dividend payments. Office of Thrift
Supervision regulations also establish a three-tier system limiting capital
distributions according to ratings of associations based on their capital level
and supervisory condition.
Tier 1 consists of associations that, before and after the proposed
distribution, meet their fully phased-in capital requirements. Associations in
this category may make capital distributions during any calendar year equal to
the greater of 100% of net income, current year-to-date, plus 50% of the amount
by which the lesser of the association's tangible, core or risk-based capital
exceeds its fully phased-in capital requirement for such capital component, as
measured at the beginning of the calendar year, or the amount authorized for a
Tier 2 association. A Tier 1 association deemed to be in need of more than
normal supervision by the Office of Thrift Supervision may be downgraded to a
Tier 2 or Tier 3 association. The Strongsville Savings Bank meets the
requirements for a Tier 1 association and has not been notified of any need for
more than normal supervision.
Tier 2 consists of associations that before and after the proposed
distribution meet their current minimum, but not fully phased-in, capital
requirements. Associations in this category may make capital distributions of up
to 75% of net income over the most recent four-quarter period. Tier 3
associations do not meet current minimum capital requirements and must obtain
Office of Thrift Supervision approval of any capital distribution. Tier 2
associations that propose to make a capital distribution in excess of the noted
safe harbor level must also obtain Office of Thrift Supervision approval. Tier 2
associations proposing to make a capital distribution within the safe harbor
provisions and Tier 1 associations proposing to make any capital distribution
need only submit written notice to the Office of Thrift Supervision 30 days
prior to such distribution. The Office of Thrift Supervision may object to the
distribution during that 30-day period based on safety and soundness concerns.
As a subsidiary of Emerald, The Strongsville Savings Bank is required to
give the Office of Thrift Supervision 30-days' notice prior to declaring any
dividend on its stock. The Office of Thrift Supervision may object to the
distribution during that 30-day period.
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation regulations provide that an insured
depository institution shall make no capital distribution if after making the
distribution, the institution would be undercapitalized.
LENDING LIMITS. Office of Thrift Supervision regulations generally limit
the aggregate amount that The Strongsville Savings Bank can lend to one borrower
to an amount equal to 15% of the association's unimpaired capital and surplus. A
savings association may lend to one borrower an additional amount not to exceed
10% of the association's unimpaired capital and surplus, if the additional
amount is fully secured by certain forms of "readily marketable collateral."
Real estate is not considered "readily marketable collateral." The Office of
Thrift Supervision has granted special authority to The Strongsville Savings
Bank to lend up to 30% of its tangible capital to one borrower for the
development of residential housing. This authority must be renewed annually in
October. In applying the loans-to-one borrower lending limits, the regulations
require that loans to certain related borrowers be aggregated. At March 31,
1999, The Strongsville Savings Bank was in compliance with these lending limits.
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DEPOSIT INSURANCE AND ASSESSMENTS. The Federal Deposit Insurance
Corporation is an independent federal agency that insures the deposits, up to
prescribed statutory limits, of federally insured banks and thrifts and
safeguards the safety and soundness of the banking and thrift industries. The
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation administers two separate insurance funds,
the Bank Insurance Fund for commercial banks and state savings banks and the
Savings Association Insurance Fund for savings associations. The Federal Deposit
Insurance Corporation has examination authority over all insured depository
institutions, including The Strongsville Savings Bank, and has authority to
initiate enforcement actions against federally insured savings associations, if
the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation does not believe the Office of Thrift
Supervision has taken appropriate action to safeguard safety and soundness and
the deposit insurance fund.
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation is required to maintain
designated levels of reserves in each fund. The Federal Deposit Insurance
Corporation may increase assessment rates for either fund if necessary to
restore the fund's ratio of reserves to insured deposits to its target level
within a reasonable time and may decrease such rates if such target level has
been met. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation has established a risk-based
assessment system for both Savings Association Insurance Fund and Bank Insurance
Fund members. Under this system, assessments vary based on the risk the
institution poses to its deposit insurance fund. The risk level is determined
based on the institution's capital level and the Federal Deposit Insurance
Corporation's level of supervisory concern about the institution.
Prior to October 1, 1996, the reserves of the Savings Association Insurance
Fund were below the level required by law, because a significant portion of the
assessments paid into the fund have been and are being used to pay the cost of
prior thrift failures, while the reserves of the Bank Insurance Fund met the
level required by law in May 1995. Because of the differing reserve levels of
the funds, deposit insurance assessments paid by healthy associations were
reduced significantly below the level paid by healthy savings associations
effective in mid-1995. Assessments paid by healthy savings associations exceeded
those paid by healthy commercial banks by approximately $.19 per $100 in
deposits in late 1995. Such excess equaled approximately $.23 per $100 in
deposits beginning in 1996.
Federal legislation, which was effective September 30, 1996, provided for
the recapitalization of the Savings Association Insurance Fund by means of a
special assessment of $.657 per $100 of Savings Association Insurance Fund
deposits held at March 31, 1995, in order to increase Savings Association
Insurance Fund reserves to the level required by law. Certain banks holding
Savings Association Insurance Fund-insured deposits were required to pay the
same special assessment on 80% of deposits at March 31, 1995. In addition, part
of the cost of prior thrift failures, which had previously been paid only by
Savings Association Insurance Fund members, will be paid by Bank Insurance Fund
members.
The Strongsville Savings Bank had $377.6 million in deposits at March 31,
1995, and paid a special assessment of $2,481,000 in September 1996, which was
accounted for and recorded as of September 30, 1996. This assessment was
tax-deductible, but reduced earnings for the year ended December 31, 1996.
TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES AND INSIDERS. Loans to executive officers,
directors and principal shareholders and their related interests must conform to
the lending limit on loans to one borrower, and the total of such loans to
executive officers, directors, principal shareholders and their related
interests cannot exceed the association's unimpaired capital and surplus (or
200% of unimpaired capital and surplus for qualifying institutions with less
than $100 million in deposits). Most loans to directors, executive officers and
principal shareholders must be approved in advance by a majority of the
"disinterested" members of the board of directors of the association with any
"interested" director not participating. All loans to directors, executive
officers and principal shareholders must be made on terms substantially the same
as offered in comparable transactions with the general public or as offered to
all employees in a company-wide benefit program, and loans to executive officers
are subject to additional limitations. The Strongsville Savings Bank was in
compliance with such restrictions at March 31, 1999.
All transactions between savings associations and their affiliates must
comply with Sections 23A and 23B of the Federal Reserve Act. An affiliate is any
company or entity which controls, is controlled by or is under common control
with the financial institution. In a holding company context, the parent holding
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company of a savings association and any companies that are controlled by such
parent holding company are affiliates of the institution. Generally, Sections
23A and 23B of the Federal Reserve Act:
- limit the extent to which a financial institution or its subsidiaries may
engage in "covered transactions" with any one affiliate to an amount
equal to 10% of such institution's capital stock and surplus for any one
affiliate and 20% of such capital stock and surplus for the aggregate of
such transactions with all affiliates, and
- require that all such transactions be on terms substantially the same, or
at least as favorable to the institution or the subsidiary, as those
provided to a non-affiliate.
The term "covered transaction" includes the making of loans, purchase of
assets, issuance of a guarantee and similar types of transactions. In addition
to limits in Sections 23A and 23B, The Strongsville Savings Bank may not make
any loan or other extension of credit to an affiliate unless the affiliate is
engaged only in activities permissible for a bank holding company and may not
purchase or invest in securities of any affiliate, except shares of a
subsidiary. Exemptions from Sections 23A or 23B of the Federal Reserve Act may
be granted only by the Federal Reserve Board. The Strongsville Savings Bank was
in compliance with these requirements at March 31, 1999.
FEDERAL RESERVE REQUIREMENTS. Federal Reserve Board regulations currently
require savings associations and banks to maintain reserves of 3% of net
transaction accounts (primarily NOW accounts) up to $47.8 million (subject to an
exemption of up to $4.7 million), and of 10% of net transaction accounts in
excess of $47.8 million. At December 31, 1998, The Strongsville Savings Bank was
in compliance with its reserve requirements.
FEDERAL HOME LOAN BANK SYSTEM. The Federal Home Loan Banks provide credit
to their members in the form of advances. As a member of the Federal Home Loan
Bank System, The Strongsville Savings Bank is required to hold a minimum stock
balance equal to the greater of 1.0% of its mortgage-related assets, or 0.3% of
its total assets. The Strongsville Savings bank is in compliance with this
requirement and had an aggregate investment in Federal Home Loan Bank stock of
$ million at March 31, 1999.
Federal Home Loan Bank advances to member institutions who meet the QTL
Test are generally limited to 50% of the member's assets, less other advances.
At December 31, 1998, the maximum limit on advances to The Strongsville Savings
Bank was approximately $286 million. The granting of advances is also subject to
the Federal Home Loan Bank's collateral and credit underwriting guidelines.
Upon the origination or renewal of a loan or advance, Federal Home Loan
Banks are required to obtain and to maintain a security interest in collateral
in one or more of the following categories: fully disbursed, whole first
mortgage loans on improved residential property or securities representing a
whole interest in such loans; securities issued, insured or guaranteed by the
United States Government or an agency thereof; deposits in any Federal Home Loan
Bank; or other real-estate related collateral (up to 30% of the member's
capital) acceptable to the applicable Federal Home Loan Bank, if such collateral
has a readily ascertainable value and the Federal Home Loan Bank can perfect its
security interest in the collateral.
Each Federal Home Loan Bank is required to establish standards of community
investment or service that its members must maintain for continued access to
long-term advances from the Federal Home Loan Banks. The standards take into
account a member's performance under the Community Reinvestment Act and its
record of lending to first-time home buyers.
STATE REGULATION. As an Ohio-chartered savings institution, The
Strongsville Savings Bank is subject to regulation and supervision by the Ohio
Division of Financial Institutions as well.
The Strongsville Savings Bank is subject to examination at least once
within every 18-month period by the Division. The lending and investment
authority of The Strongsville Savings Bank is prescribed by Ohio laws and
regulations, as well as applicable federal laws and regulations.
The Strongsville Savings Bank is required by Ohio law and regulations to
comply with certain reserve and net worth requirements. Currently,
Ohio-chartered savings institutions are required to establish and
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maintain a reserve for the absorption of bad debts and other losses in an amount
at least equal to 3% of the institution's savings account balance. For purposes
of complying with this reserve requirement, such savings institutions are able
to include the amount of any permanent stock issued and outstanding, contributed
surplus, undivided profits, specific loss or valuation reserves and any other
nonwithdrawable accounts. In addition, Ohio-chartered savings institutions that
are rated a "composite one" (the highest rating under the uniform financial
institution rating system) are required to establish and maintain a ratio of net
worth to total assets of not less than 3%. All other Ohio-chartered savings
institutions are required to have a ratio of net worth to total assets of not
less than 4%. Net worth consists of common stockholders' equity, noncumulative
perpetual preferred stock (including any related surplus), minority interests in
the equity capital accounts of consolidated subsidiaries and subordinated
debentures (in varying amounts and percentages). At March 31, 1999, The
Strongsville Savings Bank was in compliance with applicable reserve and net
worth requirements.
In addition, Ohio law authorizes an Ohio-chartered savings institutions to
invest in, among other things:
- commercial real estate loans (including commercial construction real
estate loans) up to 20% of total assets;
- land acquisition and development loans up to 2% of total assets;
- consumer loans, commercial paper and corporate debt securities up to 20%
of total assets;
- commercial business loans up to 10% of total assets; and
- capital stock, obligations and other securities of service corporations
up to 15% of total assets.
Ohio law also sets forth the maximum loan-to-value ratios with respect to
various types of loans.
The investment authority of Ohio-chartered savings institutions is broader
in many respects than that of federally chartered savings institutions. However,
since 1989, state-chartered savings institutions, such as The Strongsville
Savings Bank, are generally prohibited from acquiring or retaining any equity
investment, other than certain investments in service corporations, of a type or
in an amount that is not permitted for a federally chartered savings and loan
association. This prohibition applies to equity investments in real estate,
investments in equity securities and any other investment or transaction that is
in substance an equity investment, even if the transaction is nominally a loan
or other permissible transaction. At December 31, 1998, The Strongsville Savings
Bank had no investments subject to the foregoing prohibition.
Furthermore, a state-chartered savings institution may not engage as
principal in any activity not permitted for federal institutions unless the
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation has determined that such activity would
pose no significant risk to the affected deposit insurance fund and the
institution is in compliance with the capital standards. When certain activities
are permissible for a federal institution, the state institution may engage in
the activity in a higher amount if the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation has
not determined that such activity would pose a significant risk of loss to the
affected deposit insurance fund and the association meets its capital
requirements. This increased investment authority does not apply to investments
in nonresidential real estate loans. At March 31, 1999, The Strongsville Savings
Bank had no investments that were affected by these limitations.
LEGAL MATTERS
Certain legal matters will be passed upon for Emerald by Grady &
Associates, Rocky River, Ohio. Francis X. Grady, a principal of Grady &
Associates, owns 8,849 shares of Emerald common stock, 200 shares of Fifth Third
common stock and 2,980 shares of common stock of South Florida Bank Holding
Corporation (which is expected to be converted into 1,037 shares of Fifth Third
common stock). Counsel employed by Fifth Third Bank has rendered his opinion
that the shares of Fifth Third common stock to be issued to the shareholders of
Emerald in connection with the merger have been duly authorized and, if issued
pursuant to the affiliation agreement, will be validly issued, fully paid and
non-assessable under the current laws of the State of Ohio. Graydon, Head &
Ritchey, Cincinnati, Ohio, will render its opinion to Emerald and Fifth Third
with respect to certain federal income tax consequences of the merger.
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EXPERTS
The consolidated financial statements incorporated in this document by
reference from Fifth Third Bancorp's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year
ended December 31, 1998 have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, independent
auditors, as stated in their report, which is incorporated herein by reference,
and have been so incorporated in reliance upon the report of such firm given
upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.
The consolidated financial statements of Emerald incorporated in this
document by reference from Emerald's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year
ended December 31, 1998, which are also included in Emerald's Summary Annual
Report attached hereto as Annex F, have been audited by KPMG LLP, independent
auditors, as stated in their report included therein, and have been so
incorporated in reliance upon the report of such firm given upon their authority
as experts in accounting and auditing.
The consolidated financial statements of income, shareholders' equity, and
cash flows of Emerald (successor to The Strongsville Savings Bank) for the year
ended December 31, 1996 included and incorporated by reference in this document
have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, independent auditors, as stated in
their report, which is included and incorporated by reference herein, and have
been so included and incorporated in reliance upon the report of such firm given
upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
Fifth Third and Emerald file annual, quarterly and special reports, proxy
statements and other information with the SEC. Shareholders may read and copy
reports, proxy statements and other information filed by Fifth Third and Emerald
at the SEC's public reference rooms at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C.
20549; 7 World Trade Center, 13th Floor, New York, New York 10048; or
Northwestern Atrium Center, 500 West Madison Street, Suite 1400, Chicago,
Illinois 60661-2511. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further
information about the public reference rooms. Fifth Third's and Emerald's
reports, proxy statements and other information are also available from
commercial document retrieval services and at the SEC's website located at
http://www.sec.gov.
COPIES OF EMERALD'S ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER
31, 1998, INCLUDING THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND THE FINANCIAL STATEMENT
SCHEDULES, ARE AVAILABLE WITHOUT CHARGE UPON WRITTEN OR ORAL REQUEST FROM JOHN
F. ZIEGLER, CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER, EMERALD FINANCIAL CORP., 14092 PEARL ROAD,
STRONGSVILLE, OHIO 44136 (TELEPHONE NUMBER: (440) 238-7311).
Fifth Third has filed a registration statement to register with the SEC the
shares of Fifth Third common stock to be issued to Emerald shareholders in the
merger. This document is part of that registration statement and constitutes a
prospectus of Fifth Third as well as a proxy statement of Emerald for the annual
and special meetings.
Fifth Third common stock and Emerald common stock are traded on the Nasdaq
National Market tier of the Nasdaq Stock Market under the symbols "FITB," and
"EMLD," respectively.
As allowed by SEC rules, this document does not contain all the information
that shareholders can find in the Fifth Third registration statement or the
exhibits to the Fifth Third registration statement.
The SEC allows Fifth Third and Emerald to "incorporate by reference"
information into this document, which means that they can disclose important
information to shareholders by referring them to another document filed
separately with the SEC. The information incorporated by reference is deemed to
be part of this document, except for any information superseded by information
contained directly in the document.
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This document incorporates by reference the documents set forth below:
Fifth Third SEC Filings:
- Fifth Third's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
1998, as amended;
- Fifth Third's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March
31, 1999;
- Pages 1 and 13 through 39 of Fifth Third's 1998 Annual Report to
Shareholders (enclosed with this document); and
- Fifth Third's Proxy Statement dated February 9, 1999.
Emerald SEC Filings:
- Emerald's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
1998;
- Emerald's Current Report on Form 8-K filed March 2, 1999; and
- Emerald's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31,
1999.
Additional documents that Fifth Third and Emerald may file with the SEC
between the date of this document and the date of the special meeting of
Emerald's shareholders are also incorporated by reference. These include
periodic reports, such as Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form
10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K, as well as proxy statements.
Copies of any of the documents incorporated by reference into this document
(excluding exhibits unless the exhibits are specifically incorporated into this
document) are available without charge upon written or oral request from Paul L.
Reynolds, Assistant Secretary, Fifth Third Bancorp, Fifth Third Center,
Cincinnati, Ohio 45263 (telephone number: (513) 579-5300), as relates to Fifth
Third, and from John F. Ziegler, Chief Financial Officer, Emerald Financial
Corp., 14092 Pearl Road, Strongsville, Ohio 44136 (telephone number: (440)
238-7311) as relates to Emerald. In order to ensure timely delivery of the
documents, any request should be made by , 1999.
YOU SHOULD RELY ONLY ON THE INFORMATION CONTAINED OR INCORPORATED BY
REFERENCE IN THIS DOCUMENT TO VOTE YOUR SHARES AT THE SPECIAL MEETING. NO ONE
HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO PROVIDE ANY INFORMATION THAT IS DIFFERENT FROM WHAT IS
CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT. THIS DOCUMENT IS DATED , 1999.
SHAREHOLDERS SHOULD NOT ASSUME THAT THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT
IS ACCURATE AS OF ANY DATE OTHER THAN THAT DATE, AND NEITHER THE MAILING OF THIS
DOCUMENT TO SHAREHOLDERS NOR THE ISSUANCE OF FIFTH THIRD COMMON STOCK IN THE
MERGER WILL CREATE ANY IMPLICATION TO THE CONTRARY.
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ANNEX A
AFFILIATION AGREEMENT
This Affiliation Agreement ("Affiliation Agreement") dated as of February
27, 1999 is entered into by and between FIFTH THIRD BANCORP, a corporation
organized and existing under the corporation laws of the State of Ohio with its
principal office located in Cincinnati, Hamilton County, Ohio ("Fifth Third"),
and EMERALD FINANCIAL CORP., a corporation organized and existing under the
corporation laws of the State of Ohio, with its principal office located in
Strongsville, Cuyahoga County, Ohio ("Emerald").
W I T N E S S E T H :
WHEREAS, Fifth Third is a registered bank holding company under the Bank
Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended, and Emerald is a unitary savings and
loan holding company under Section 10 of the Home Owners' Loan Act, as amended
("HOLA"), and Fifth Third and Emerald desire to effect a merger under the
authority and provisions of the corporation laws of the State of Ohio pursuant
to which at the Effective Time (as herein defined in Section IX) Emerald will be
merged into Fifth Third, with Fifth Third to be and become the surviving
corporation (the "Merger");
WHEREAS, Emerald owns all of the outstanding stock of The Strongsville
Savings Bank, an Ohio-chartered savings association ("Thrift Subsidiary"),
which, at the Effective Time, will be merged with and into Fifth Third's wholly
owned subsidiary Fifth Third Bank, Northwestern Ohio, N.A., a national banking
association ("Fifth Third Bank, N.W."), with Fifth Third Bank, N.W. to become
the surviving corporation (the "Subsidiary Merger");
WHEREAS, under the terms of this Agreement each of the issued and
outstanding shares of the Common stock, no par value per share, of Emerald which
are issued and outstanding (excluding any treasury shares and preferred shares)
immediately prior to the Effective Time will at the Effective Time be canceled
and extinguished and in substitution therefor such Emerald shares will, at the
Effective Time, be converted into shares of the Common Stock, without par value,
of Fifth Third ("Fifth Third Common Stock"), all as more fully provided in this
Agreement;
WHEREAS, the parties to this Agreement intend that the Merger qualify as a
"reorganization" within the meaning of Section 368(a)(1)(A) and related
provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code");
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants herein contained,
Fifth Third and Emerald, agree together as follows:
I. MODE OF EFFECTUATING CONVERSION OF SHARES
A. Upon the terms and conditions set forth in the Agreement, Emerald shall
be merged with and into Fifth Third.
B. At the Effective Time (as defined in Article IX) all of the shares of
Fifth Third Common Stock that are issued and outstanding or held by Fifth Third
as treasury shares immediately prior to the Effective Time will remain unchanged
and will remain outstanding or as treasury shares, as the case may be, of the
surviving corporation. Any stock options, subscription rights, warrants or other
securities outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time, entitling the
holders to subscribe for purchase of any shares of the capital stock of any
class of Fifth Third, and any securities outstanding at such time that are
convertible into shares of the capital stock of any class of Fifth Third will
remain unchanged and will remain outstanding, with the holders thereof entitled
to subscribe for, purchase or convert their securities into the number of shares
of the class of capital stock of Fifth Third to which they are entitled under
the terms of the governing documents.
C. 1. At the Effective Time, each of the shares of the Common Stock, no par
value per share, of Emerald that is issued and outstanding immediately prior to
the Effective Time ("Emerald Common Stock") will, when the Merger becomes
effective, be converted by virtue of the Merger and without further action,
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into .30 shares of Fifth Third Common Stock (the "Exchange Ratio"), or cash in
lieu thereof for fractional shares, if any, as described in the immediately
succeeding paragraph, subject to adjustment as provided in Section I.F. below.
All issued and outstanding shares of the Preferred Stock of Emerald, if any,
shall be canceled at the Effective Time. At the Effective Time, all shares of
Emerald Common Stock held in treasury will be canceled and terminated and will
not be converted into shares of Fifth Third Common Stock.
2. At the Effective Time, each award, option, or other right to purchase or
acquire shares of Emerald Common Stock pursuant to stock options ("Emerald
Rights") granted by Emerald under the 1994 Long Term Incentive Plan and the 1998
Stock Option and Incentive Plan ("Stock Plan"), which are outstanding at the
Effective Time, whether or not exercisable, shall be converted into and become
options with respect to Fifth Third Common Stock, and Fifth Third shall assume
each Emerald Right, in accordance with the terms of the Stock Plan and stock
option agreement by which the Emerald Right is evidenced, except from and after
the Effective Time, (i) Fifth Third and its Compensation Committee shall be
substituted for the Committee of Emerald's Board of Directors (including, if
applicable, the entire Board of Directors of Emerald) administering such Stock
Plan, (ii) each Emerald Right assumed by Fifth Third may be exercised solely for
shares of Fifth Third Common Stock, (iii) the number of shares of Fifth Third
Common Stock subject to such Emerald Right shall be equal to the number of
shares of Emerald Common Stock subject to such Emerald Right immediately prior
to the Effective Time multiplied by the Exchange Ratio, however, such number of
Emerald Rights shall not exceed 481,412 shares in the aggregate, which amount
equals the number of Emerald Rights in existence on the date of this Agreement,
and (iv) the per share exercise price under each such Emerald Right shall be
adjusted by dividing the per share exercise price under each such Emerald Right
by the Exchange Ratio and rounding up to the nearest four decimal places.
Notwithstanding, the provisions of clause (iii) of the preceding sentence, Fifth
Third shall not be obligated to issue any fraction of a share of Fifth Third
Common Stock upon exercise of Emerald Rights and any fraction of a share of
Fifth Third Common Stock that otherwise would be subject to a converted Emerald
Right shall represent the right to receive a cash payment equal to the product
of such fraction and the difference between the Applicable Market Value Per
Share of Fifth Third Common Stock as defined in Article I Section E hereof. In
addition, notwithstanding the foregoing, each Emerald Right which is an
"incentive stock option" shall be adjusted as required by Section 424 of the
Code so as not to constitute a modification, extension, or renewal of the
option, within the meaning of Section 424(h) of the Code. Fifth Third agrees to
take all reasonable steps which are necessary to effectuate the foregoing
provisions of this Section.
3. The grants pursuant to the Stock Plan shall continue in effect on the
terms and conditions (subject to the adjustments required by Section I.C.2 after
giving effect to the Merger), and Fifth Third shall take all reasonable steps to
comply with the terms of the Stock Plan to ensure, to the extent reasonably
required by, and subject to the provisions of, the Stock Plan, the Emerald
Rights which qualified as incentive stock options prior to the Effective Time
continue to qualify as incentive stock options after the Effective Time. At or
prior to the Effective Time, Fifth Third shall take all corporate action
necessary to reserve for issuance sufficient shares of Fifth Third Common Stock
for delivery upon exercise of Emerald Rights assumed by Fifth Third in
accordance with this Section. Within 60 days after the Effective Time, Fifth
Third shall file, if required by applicable laws or regulations, a registration
statement on Form S-3 or Form S-8, as the case may be (or any successor or
appropriate forms), with respect to shares of Fifth Third Common Stock subject
to the Emerald Rights assumed by Fifth Third in accordance with this Section and
shall use its reasonable efforts to maintain the effectiveness of such
registration statements and maintain the current status of the prospectus or
prospectuses contained therein), as well as comply with any applicable state
securities or "blue sky" laws, for so long as such options remain outstanding.
D. At the Effective Time, all of the shares of Emerald Common Stock,
whether issued or unissued (including treasury shares), will be canceled and
extinguished and the holders of certificates for shares thereof shall cease to
have any rights as shareholders of Emerald, except as aforesaid, their sole
rights as shareholders shall pertain to the Fifth Third Common Stock and cash in
lieu of fractional shares, if any (as described in the immediately succeeding
paragraph), into which their Emerald Common Stock shall have been converted by
virtue of the Merger.
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E. After the Effective Time, each holder of a certificate or certificates
for shares of Emerald Common Stock, upon surrender of the same duly transmitted
to Fifth Third Trust Department, as Exchange Agent (or in lieu of surrendering
such certificates in the case of lost, stolen, destroyed or mislaid
certificates, upon execution of such documentation as may be reasonably required
by Fifth Third), shall be entitled to receive in exchange therefor a certificate
or certificates representing the number of whole shares of Fifth Third Common
Stock into which such holder's shares of Emerald Common Stock shall have been
converted by the Merger pursuant to the Exchange Ratio, plus a cash payment for
any fraction of a share to which the holder is entitled, in lieu of such
fraction of a share, equal in amount to the product resulting from multiplying
such fraction by the per share closing price of Fifth Third Common Stock as
reported on the NASDAQ National Market System on the Effective Time (the
"Applicable Market Value Per Share of Fifth Third Common Stock"). Within seven
(7) business days after the Effective Time, the Exchange Agent will send a
notice and transmittal form to each Emerald shareholder of record at the
Effective Time advising such shareholder of the effectiveness of the Merger and
the procedures for surrendering to the Exchange Agent outstanding certificates
formerly evidencing Emerald Common Stock in exchange for new certificates of
Fifth Third Common Stock. Until so surrendered, each outstanding certificate
that prior to the Effective Time represented shares of Emerald Common Stock
shall be deemed for all corporate purposes to evidence ownership of the number
of full shares of Fifth Third Common Stock into which the same shall have been
converted; provided, however, that dividends or distributions otherwise payable
with respect to shares of Fifth Third Common Stock into which Emerald Common
Stock shall have been so converted shall be paid with respect to such shares
only when the certificate or certificates evidencing shares of Emerald Common
Stock shall have been so surrendered (or in lieu of surrendering such
certificates in the case of lost, stolen, destroyed or mislaid certificates,
upon execution of such documentation as may be reasonably required by Fifth
Third) and thereupon any such dividends and distributions shall be paid, without
interest, to the holder entitled thereto subject however to the operation of any
applicable escheat or similar laws relating to unclaimed funds.
F. The Exchange Ratio referred to in Paragraph C of this Article I shall be
adjusted so as to give the Emerald shareholders the economic benefit of any
stock dividends, reclassifications, recapitalizations, split-ups, exchanges of
shares, distributions or combinations or subdivisions of Fifth Third Common
Stock effected between the date of this Agreement and the Effective Time. In the
event between the date of this Agreement and the Effective Time, Fifth Third has
engaged in either the distribution of any of its assets (other than a cash
dividend), or caused the distribution of capital stock in a company which holds
any asset(s) previously held by Fifth Third or in any affiliate thereof, to the
Fifth Third shareholders, then the Exchange Ratio shall be increased in such
amount so that the equivalent fair market value of such transaction shall also
be distributed to the Emerald shareholders, as of the Effective Time, provided,
however, if, prior to the Effective Time, Fifth Third should split, reclassify
or combine the Fifth Third Common Stock, or pay a stock dividend or other stock
distribution in Fifth Third Common Stock, as of a record date prior to the
Effective Time, appropriate adjustments (rounded to four digits to the right of
the decimal point) will be made to the Exchange Ratio and the total number of
shares of Fifth Third Common Stock to be issued in the transaction so as to
maintain the proportional interest in Fifth Third Common Stock which the
shareholders of Emerald would otherwise have received.
G. When all necessary documents have been filed and recorded in accordance
with the laws of the State of Ohio, and the Merger becomes effective, the
separate existence of Emerald shall cease and Emerald shall be merged into Fifth
Third (which will be the "Surviving Corporation"), and which shall continue its
corporate existence under the laws of the State of Ohio under the name "Fifth
Third Bancorp".
H. The Second Amended Articles of Incorporation, as amended, of Fifth Third
of record with the Secretary of State of Ohio as of the Effective Time shall be
the Articles of Incorporation of the Surviving Corporation, until further
amended as provided by law.
I. The Directors of Fifth Third who are in office at the Effective Time
shall be the directors of the Surviving Corporation, each of whom shall continue
to serve as a Director for the term for which he was elected, subject to the
Regulations of the Surviving Corporation and in accordance with law. The
officers of Fifth Third who are in office at the time the Merger becomes
effective shall be the officers of the Surviving Corporation, subject to the
Regulations of the Surviving Corporation and in accordance with law.
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J. The Regulations of Fifth Third at the Effective Time shall be the
Regulations of the Surviving Corporation, until amended as provided therein and
in accordance with law.
K. At the Effective Time, the effect of the Merger shall be as provided by
the applicable provisions of the laws of Ohio. Without limiting the generality
of the foregoing, and subject thereto, at the Effective Time: the separate
existence of Emerald shall cease; Fifth Third shall possess all assets and
property of every description, and every interest therein, wherever located, and
the rights, privileges, immunities, powers, franchises and authority, of a
public as well as a private nature, of each of Fifth Third and Emerald, and all
obligations owing by or due each of Fifth Third and Emerald shall be vested in,
and become the obligations of, Fifth Third, without further act or deed,
including, without limitation, any liability to Dissenting Shareholders under
Sections 1701.84 and 1701.85 of the Ohio Revised Code laws; and all rights of
creditors of each of Fifth Third and Emerald shall be preserved unimpaired, and
all liens upon the property of each of Fifth Third and Emerald shall be
preserved unimpaired, on only the property affected by such liens immediately
prior to the Effective Time.
L. From time to time as and when requested by the Surviving Corporation, or
by its successors or assigns, the officers and Directors of Emerald in office at
the Effective Time shall execute and deliver such instruments and shall take or
cause to be taken such further or other action as shall be necessary in order to
vest or perfect in the Surviving Corporation or to confirm of record or
otherwise, title to, and possession of, all the assets, property, interests,
rights, privileges, immunities, powers, franchises and authority of Emerald and
otherwise to carry out the purposes of this Agreement.
M. This Agreement shall be filed (only if necessary) and recorded along
with Articles or a Certificate of Merger in accordance with the requirements of
the laws of the State of Ohio. This Agreement shall not be filed with the
Secretary of the State of Ohio until, but shall be filed promptly after, all of
the conditions precedent to consummating the Merger as contained in Article VI
of this Agreement shall have been fully met or effectively waived.
N. The Merger is a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of
the Code, and the Agreement and the Agreement is intended to be a "plan of
reorganization" within the meaning of the regulations promulgated under the Code
and for purposes of Section 354 and 361 of the Code.
O. 1. Each outstanding share of Emerald Common Stock the holder of which
has perfected his right to dissent under the Ohio General Corporation Law (the
"OGCL") and has not effectively withdrawn or lost such rights as of the
Effective Time shall not be converted into or represent a right to receive Fifth
Third Common Stock, and the holder thereof shall be entitled only to such rights
as are granted by the OGCL. Emerald shall give Fifth Third prompt notice upon
receipt by Emerald of any such written demands for payment of the fair value of
such shares (such shares being referred to as "Dissenting Shares") of Emerald
Common Stock and of withdrawals of such demands and any other instruments
provided pursuant to the OGCL (any shareholder duly making such demands being
hereinafter called a "Dissenting Shareholder"). Any payments made in respect of
Dissenting Shares shall be made by the Surviving Corporation or Fifth Third. If
any Dissenting Shareholders shall effectively withdraw or lose (through failure
to perfect or otherwise) his right to such payment, such holder's shares of
Emerald Common Stock shall be converted into a right to receive Fifth Third
Common Stock in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Agreement.
2. No holder of Fifth Third Common Stock shall be entitled to relief as a
dissenting shareholder pursuant to Section 1701.85 of the OGCL or otherwise.
II. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF EMERALD.
Emerald represents and warrants to Fifth Third that as of the date hereof
or as of the indicated date, as appropriate, and except as otherwise disclosed
in Schedule 1 hereto delivered by Emerald to Fifth Third in connection with the
execution of this Agreement by Fifth Third:
A. Emerald (i) is duly incorporated, validly existing and in good standing
as a corporation under the corporation laws of the State of Ohio and is a
registered unitary savings and loan holding company under the HOLA; (ii) is duly
authorized to conduct the business in which it is engaged; (iii) has 20,000,000
shares, no
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par value per share, of Emerald Common Stock and no shares of Preferred Stock
("Emerald Preferred Stock") authorized pursuant to its Articles of
Incorporation, which are the total number of shares Emerald is authorized to
have outstanding; (iv) has no outstanding securities of any kind, nor any
outstanding options, warrants or other rights entitling another person to
acquire any securities of Emerald of any kind, other than (a) 10,968,551 shares
of Emerald Common Stock, which presently are authorized, duly issued and
outstanding and fully paid and non-assessable as of February 24, 1999, and (b)
options to purchase a total of 481,412 shares of Emerald Common Stock as of
February 24, 1999, which were granted to and are currently held by the
employees, officers and Directors of Emerald and/or Thrift Subsidiary; (v) owns
of record and beneficially free and clear of all liens and encumbrances, all of
the 2,530,800 outstanding shares of the capital stock of the Thrift Subsidiary,
no par value per share, (vi) owns of record and beneficially free and clear of
all liens and encumbrances, the one (1) outstanding share of the common stock of
the Emerald Development Corp., an Ohio corporation ("EMD Corp."), no par value
per share. EMD Corp. is an inactive corporation without any assets or
liabilities. Emerald has no direct or indirect subsidiaries other than Thrift
Subsidiary and EMD Corp.
B. Thrift Subsidiary is duly incorporated, validly existing and in good
standing as an Ohio-chartered savings association under the laws of the State of
Ohio, and has all the requisite power and authority to conduct the savings
association business as now conducted by it; and Thrift Subsidiary does not have
any outstanding securities of any kind, nor any outstanding options, warrants or
other rights entitling another person to acquire any securities of the Thrift
Subsidiary of any kind, other than 2,530,800 shares of the common stock, no par
value per share, of the Thrift Subsidiary owned of record and beneficially by
Emerald. The Thrift Subsidiary owns of record and beneficially free and clear of
all liens and encumbrances, all of the 1,000 outstanding shares of the capital
stock of the Dennis Financial Corp., an Ohio corporation ("DF Corp."), no par
value per share. DF Corp. is an inactive corporation with no assets or
liabilities. The Thrift Subsidiary has no direct or indirect subsidiaries other
than DF Corp.
C. Emerald has previously furnished to Fifth Third its audited,
consolidated balance sheets, statements of operations, statements of
stockholders' equity and cash flows as at December 31, 1997, and for the year
then ended, together with the opinions of its independent certified public
accountants associated therewith. Emerald also has previously furnished to Fifth
Third the Thrift Financial Reports as filed with OTS of the Thrift Subsidiary as
at December 31, 1995, 1996 and 1997. Emerald also has furnished to Fifth Third
(i) its unaudited, consolidated financial statements as at December 31, 1998,
and for the twelve (12) months then ended, and (ii) the Thrift Financial Reports
as filed with the OTS of the Thrift Subsidiary for the quarter ended December
31, 1998. As soon as they are available, Emerald will provide to Fifth Third
Emerald's audited, consolidated balance sheets, statements of operations,
statements of stockholders' equity and cash flows as at December 31, 1998, and
for the year then ended, together with the opinions of Emerald's independent
certified public accountants associated therewith. Such audited consolidated
financial statements of Emerald fairly present or will fairly present, as
applicable, the consolidated financial condition of Emerald as of the date
thereof, and for the years or periods covered thereby in conformity with
generally accepted accounting principles, consistently applied (except as stated
therein and except for the omission of notes to unaudited statements and
year-end adjustments to interim results). There are no material liabilities,
obligations or indebtedness of Emerald or the Thrift Subsidiary required to be
disclosed in the financial statements so furnished other than the liabilities,
obligations or indebtedness disclosed in such financial statements (including
footnotes). Emerald shall furnish Fifth Third with unaudited, consolidated
financial statements as at March 31, 1999, June 30, 1999 and September 30, 1999,
and for the months then ended as soon as practicable, and shall continue to
furnish such financial information for subsequent monthly and quarterly periods
to Fifth Third as soon as practicable until the Closing Date.
D. Emerald and the Thrift Subsidiary have good and marketable title to all
of the material properties and assets reflected in its separate statement of
financial condition as at December 31, 1998, and which are still owned by each
and each has good and marketable title to all material properties and assets
acquired by it after such date and still owned by it, subject to (i) any liens
and encumbrances that do not materially adversely impair the use of the
property, (ii) statutory liens for taxes not yet due and payable, and (iii)
minor defects and irregularities in title that do not materially adversely
impair the use of the property.
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E. Except as disclosed in Schedule 1 and for events relating to the
business environment in general: (i) since December 31, 1998, to the date hereof
there have been no material adverse changes in the financial condition,
operations or business of Emerald and the Thrift Subsidiary on a consolidated or
separate basis; and (ii) Emerald is not aware of any events which have occurred
since December 31, 1998 to the date hereof or which as of the date hereof are
reasonably certain to occur in the future and which reasonably can be expected
to result in any material adverse change in the financial condition, operations
or business of Emerald and the Thrift Subsidiary on a consolidated or separate
basis, excluding in each instance matters (which shall include but not be
limited to changes in general economic condition, changes in interest rates,
changes in laws or regulations or changes in generally accepted accounting
principles) of general application to the thrift or banking industry.
F. Except as disclosed in Schedule 1, there are no actions, suits,
proceedings, investigations or assessments of any kind pending, or to the best
knowledge of Emerald, threatened against Emerald or the Thrift Subsidiary which
reasonably can be expected to result in any material adverse change in the
financial condition, operations or business of Emerald and the Thrift Subsidiary
on a consolidated or separate basis.
G. Except as disclosed in Schedule 1, since December 31, 1998, to the date
hereof Emerald and the Thrift Subsidiary each has been operated in the ordinary
course of business, has not made any changes in its respective capital or
corporate structures, nor any material changes in its methods of business
operations and has not provided any increases in employee salaries or benefits
other than in the ordinary course of business. Except as disclosed in Schedule
1, since December 31, 1998, to the date hereof Emerald has not declared or paid
any dividends nor made any distributions of any other kind to its shareholders.
H. Except as disclosed in Schedule 1, Emerald and the Thrift Subsidiary
have timely filed all federal, state and local tax returns required to be filed
(after giving effect to all extensions) by them, respectively, and have paid or
provided for all tax liabilities shown to be due thereon or which have been
assessed against them, respectively. All tax returns filed by Emerald or the
Thrift Subsidiary through the date hereof constitute complete and accurate
representations of the tax liabilities of Emerald and the Thrift Subsidiary for
such years and accurately set forth all items (to the extent required to be
included or reflected in such returns) relevant to its future tax liabilities,
including the tax basis of its properties and assets in all material respects.
I. Except as disclosed in Schedule 1, neither Emerald nor the Thrift
Subsidiary is a party to (i) any written employment contracts or written
contracts of any other kind with any of its officers, Directors or employees or
(ii) any material contract, lease or agreement of any other kind which is not
assignable as a result of the merger provided for herein without the consent of
another party, except for contracts, leases or agreements which do not have
terms extending beyond six months from the date of this Agreement or contracts,
leases or agreements (excluding contracts, leases and agreements pursuant to
which credit has been extended by the Thrift Subsidiary) which do not require a
total expenditure over the term of the contract, lease or agreement of more than
$100,000.00 thereunder.
J. Except as disclosed in Schedule 1, since December 31, 1998, to the date
hereof the Thrift Subsidiary has not incurred any unusual or extraordinary loan
losses which are material to Emerald and the Thrift Subsidiary on a consolidated
basis; to the best knowledge of Emerald and in light of the Thrift Subsidiary's
historical loan loss experience and its management's analysis of the quality and
performance of its loan portfolio, as of December 31, 1998, its reserve for loan
losses was, in the opinion of Emerald, adequate to absorb all known and
reasonably anticipated losses as of such date.
K. Except as disclosed in Schedule 1 and except for dealings with and
obligations to McDonald Investments Inc., neither Emerald nor the Thrift
Subsidiary has, directly or indirectly, dealt with any broker or finder in
connection with this transaction and neither has incurred or will incur any
obligation for any broker's or finder's fee or commission in connection with the
transactions provided for in this Agreement.
L. 1. The Directors of Emerald, by resolution adopted by the unanimous vote
of all Directors present at a meeting duly called and held in accordance with
applicable law, have duly approved this Agreement, and have directed that this
Agreement be submitted to a vote of Emerald's shareholders at the annual or a
special
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meeting of the shareholders to be called for that purpose, all in accordance
with and as required by law and in accordance with the Articles of Incorporation
and Code of Regulations of Emerald.
2. Emerald has the corporate power and authority to enter into this
Agreement and to carry out its obligations hereunder subject to certain required
regulatory and shareholder approvals. The Agreement, when executed and
delivered, will have been duly authorized and will constitute the valid and
binding obligation of Emerald, enforceable in accordance with its terms, except
to the extent that (i) enforceability thereof may be limited by insolvency,
reorganization, liquidation, bankruptcy, readjustment of debt or other laws of
general application relating to or affecting the enforcement of creditors'
rights generally and (ii) the availability of certain remedies may be precluded
by general principles of equity, subject, however, to the receipt of requisite
regulatory approvals and the approval of Emerald's shareholders.
3. Except as disclosed in Schedule 1, neither the execution of the
Agreement, nor the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and
thereby, (i) conflicts with, results in a breach of, violates or constitutes a
default under, Emerald's Articles of Incorporation or Code of Regulations or, to
the best knowledge of Emerald, any federal, state or local law, statute,
ordinance, rule, regulation or court or administrative order, or any agreement,
arrangement, or commitment, to which Emerald or the Thrift Subsidiary is subject
or bound; (ii) to the best knowledge of Emerald, results in the creation of or
gives any person the right to create any material lien, charge, encumbrance, or
security agreement or any other material rights of others or other material
adverse interest upon any material right, property or asset belonging to Emerald
or the Thrift Subsidiary; (iii) except as disclosed in Schedule 1, terminates or
gives any person the right to terminate, amend, abandon, or refuse to perform
any material agreement, arrangement or commitment to which Emerald or the Thrift
Subsidiary is a party or by which Emerald's or the Thrift Subsidiary's rights,
properties or assets are subject or bound; or (iv) to the best knowledge of
Emerald, accelerates or modifies, or gives any party thereto the right to
accelerate or modify, the time within which, or the terms according to which,
Emerald or the Thrift Subsidiary is to perform any duties or obligations or
receive any rights or benefits under any material agreements, arrangements or
commitments. For purposes of subparagraphs (iii) and (iv) immediately preceding,
material agreements, arrangements or commitments exclude agreements,
arrangements or commitments having a term expiring less than six months from the
date of this Agreement or which do not require the expenditure of more than
$100,000 over the term of the agreement, arrangement or commitment (but shall
include all agreements, arrangements or commitments pursuant to which credit has
been extended by the Thrift Subsidiary).
M. Complete and accurate copies of the (i) Articles of Incorporation and
Code of Regulations of Emerald and (ii) the Charter and Bylaws of the Thrift
Subsidiary in force as of the date hereof have been delivered to Fifth Third.
N. Except as disclosed in Schedule 1, neither Emerald nor the Thrift
Subsidiary nor any employee, officer or Director of any of them has engaged in
any activity or omitted to take any action which, in any material way, has
resulted or could result in the violation of, or material failure to comply with
the regulatory requirements of (i) any local, state or federal law (including
without limitation the Bank Secrecy Act, the Community Reinvestment Act,
applicable consumer protection and disclosure laws and regulations, including
without limitation, Truth in Lending, Truth in Savings and similar disclosure
laws and regulations, and equal employment and employment discrimination laws
and regulations) or (ii) any regulation, order, injunction or decree of any
court or governmental body, the violation of either of which could reasonably be
expected to have a material adverse effect on the financial condition of Emerald
and the Thrift Subsidiary. To the best knowledge of Emerald and except as
disclosed in Schedule 1, the Thrift Subsidiary possesses all licenses,
franchises, permits and other governmental authorizations necessary for the
continued conduct of its business without material interference or interruption.
O. Except as disclosed in Schedule 1, neither this Agreement nor any
report, statement, list, certificate or other information furnished by Emerald
or the Thrift Subsidiary to Fifth Third or its agents in connection with this
Agreement or any of the transactions contemplated hereby (including, without
limitation, any information which has been or shall be supplied with respect to
their business operations and financial condition for inclusion in the proxy
statement/prospectus and registration statement relating to the Merger)
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contains or shall contain (or, in the case of information relating to the proxy
statement/prospectus, at the time it is mailed, in the case of the registration
statement, at the time it becomes effective and in the case of the proxy
statement/prospectus and the registration statement, at the time the annual or
special meeting of shareholders of Emerald is held to consider the adoption of
this Agreement) an untrue statement of material fact or omits or shall omit to
state a material fact necessary to make the statements contained herein or
therein, in light of the circumstances in which they are made, not misleading.
P. Except as disclosed in Schedule 1, there are no actions, proceedings or
investigations pending before any environmental regulatory body, with respect to
or threatened against or affecting Emerald or the Thrift Subsidiary in respect
to any "facility" owned, leased or operated by any of them (but excluding any
"facility" as to which sole interest of Emerald or the Thrift Subsidiary is that
of a lienholder or mortgagee, but including any "facility" to which title has
been taken pursuant to mortgage foreclosure or similar proceedings and including
any "facility" in which Emerald or the Thrift Subsidiary ever participated in
the financial management of such facility to a degree sufficient to influence,
or have the ability to influence, the facility's treatment of hazardous waste)
under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act
of 1980, as amended ("CERCLA"), or under any Federal, state, local or municipal
statue, ordinance or regulation in respect thereof, in connection with any
release of any toxic or "hazardous substance", pollutant or contaminant into the
"environment" which, if adversely determined, (a) would require the payment by
Emerald or the Thrift Subsidiary and/or require Emerald or the Thrift Subsidiary
to incur expenses of more than $25,000 (whether or not covered by insurance) or
(b) would otherwise have a material adverse effect on Emerald or the Thrift
Subsidiary, nor, to the best knowledge of Emerald after reasonable inquiry, is
there any reasonable basis for the institution of any such actions or
proceedings or investigations which is probable of assertion, nor are there any
such actions or proceedings or investigations in which Emerald or the Thrift
Subsidiary is a plaintiff or complainant. Neither Emerald nor the Thrift
Subsidiary is liable in any material respect under any applicable law for any
release by either of them or for any release by any other "person" of a
hazardous substance caused by the spilling, leaking, pumping, pouring, emitting,
emptying, discharging, injecting, escaping, leaching, dumping or disposing of
hazardous wastes or other chemical substances, pollutants or contaminants into
the environment, nor is Emerald or the Thrift Subsidiary liable for any material
costs (as a result of the acts or omissions of Emerald or the Thrift Subsidiary
or, to the best knowledge of Emerald, as a result of the acts or omissions of
any other "person") of any remedial action including, without limitation, costs
arising out of security fencing, alternative water supplies, temporary
evacuation and housing and other emergency assistance undertaken by any
environmental regulatory body having jurisdiction over Emerald or the Thrift
Subsidiary to prevent or minimize any actual or threatened release by Emerald or
the Thrift Subsidiary of any hazardous wastes or other chemical substances,
pollutants and contaminants into the environment which would endanger the public
health or the environment. All terms contained in quotation marks in this
paragraph and the paragraph immediately following shall have the meaning
ascribed to such terms, and defined in, CERCLA.
Except as disclosed in Schedule 1, to the best knowledge of Emerald each
"facility" owned, leased or operated by Emerald or the Thrift Subsidiary (but
excluding any "facility" as to which the sole interest of Emerald or the Thrift
Subsidiary is that of a lienholder or mortgagee, but including any "facility" to
which title has been taken pursuant to mortgage foreclosure or similar
proceedings and including any "facility" in which Emerald or the Thrift
Subsidiary ever participated in the financial management of such facility to a
degree sufficient to influence, or have the ability to influence, the facility's
treatment of hazardous waste) is, in all material respects, in compliance with
all applicable Federal, state, local or municipal statutes, ordinances, laws and
regulations and all orders, rulings or other decisions of any court,
administrative agency or other governmental authority relating to the protection
of the environment, except to the extent a failure to comply would not have a
material adverse effect on the business, operations and financial condition of
Emerald and the Thrift Subsidiary taken as a whole.
Q. 1. Benefit Plans. Schedule 1 lists the name and a short description of
each Benefit Plan (as herein defined), together with an indication of its
funding status (e.g., trust, insured or general company assets). For purposes
hereof, the term "Benefit Plan" shall mean any plan, program, arrangement or
system of employee or director benefits maintained by Emerald or the Thrift
Subsidiary for the benefit of employees, former
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employees or Directors of Emerald or the Thrift Subsidiary and shall include (a)
any qualified retirement plan such as a pension, profit sharing, stock bonus
plan or employee stock ownership plan ("ESOP"), (b) any plan, program or
arrangement providing deferred compensation, bonus deferral or incentive
benefits, whether funded through trust or otherwise, and (c) any welfare plan,
program or policy providing vacation, severance, salary continuation,
supplemental unemployment, disability, life, health coverage, retiree health,
Voluntary Employees' Beneficiary Association, medical expense reimbursement or
dependent care assistance benefits, in any such foregoing case without regard to
whether the Benefit Plan constitutes an employee benefit plan under Section 3(3)
of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended ("ERISA"), or
the number of employees covered under such Benefit Plan. Through the date of
this Agreement neither Emerald nor Thrift Subsidiary have made or have committed
to make any contributions to any Benefit Plan outside the ordinary course of
business and inconsistent with past practice with regard to amounts.
2. Plan Documents, Reports and Filings. Except as disclosed on Schedule 1,
Emerald or the Thrift Subsidiary has provided true, complete and correct copies
of all plan documents, if any, comprising each Benefit Plan, together with, when
applicable, (a) the most recent summary plan description, (b) the most recent
actuarial and financial reports and the most recent annual reports filed with
any governmental agency and (c) all Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") or other
governmental agency rulings and determination letters or any open requests for
IRS rulings or letters with respect to Benefit Plans.
3. Qualified Retirement Plan Compliance. With respect to each Benefit Plan
which is an employee pension benefit plan (as defined in section 3(2) of ERISA)
other than any such plan that meets the "top-hat" exception under section 201(1)
of ERISA (a "Qualified Benefit Plan"), except as disclosed on Schedule 1: (a)
the IRS has issued a determination letter which determined that such Qualified
Benefit Plan (as amended by any and all amendments) satisfied the requirements
of section 401(a) of the Code, as amended by all of the laws referred to in
Section 1 of Revenue Procedure 93-39, such determination letter has not been
revoked or threatened to be revoked by the IRS, and the scope of such
determination letter is complete and does not exclude consideration of any of
the requirements or matters referred to in sections 4.02 through 4.04 of Revenue
Procedure 93-39; (b) such Qualified Benefit Plan is in material compliance with
all qualification requirements of Section 401(a) of the Code; (c) such Qualified
Benefit Plan is in substantial compliance with all notice, reporting and
disclosure requirements of ERISA and the Code; (d) any Qualified Benefit Plan
which is an ESOP as defined in Section 4975(e)(7) of the Code (an "ESOP
Qualified Benefit Plan") is in material compliance with the applicable
qualification requirements of Section 409 of the Code; (e) any previously
terminated Qualified Benefit Plan was terminated in material compliance with the
requirements of ERISA and the Code, has received a favorable determination
letter therefor, and the liabilities of such Qualified Benefit Plan and the
requirements of the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation ("PBGC") were fully
satisfied; and (f) any and all amendments to the Qualified Benefit Plans not
covered by an IRS determination letter do not adversely affect the qualified and
tax exempt status of such plans .
4. Welfare Plan Compliance. With respect to each Benefit Plan which is an
employee welfare benefit plan (as defined in Section 3(1) of ERISA) (a "Welfare
Benefit Plan"), except as noted on Schedule 1: (a) such Welfare Benefit Plan, if
it is intended to provide favorable tax benefits to plan participants, has been,
to the best knowledge of Emerald, in compliance with applicable Code provisions;
(b) such Welfare Benefit Plan has been, to the best knowledge of Emerald,
operated in substantial compliance with all applicable notice, reporting and
disclosure requirements of ERISA and the Code; and (c) such Welfare Benefit
Plan, if a group health plan subject to the requirements of Section 4980B of the
Code ("COBRA"), has been, to the best knowledge of Emerald, operated in
substantial compliance with such COBRA requirements.
5. Prohibited Transactions. No prohibited transaction under Section 406 of
ERISA and not exempt under Section 408 of ERISA has occurred with respect to any
Benefit Plan which would result, with respect to any person, in (a) the
imposition, directly or indirectly, of a material excise tax under Section 4975
of the Code or (b) material fiduciary liability under Section 409 of ERISA.
6. Lawsuits or Claims. No material actions, suits or claims (other than
routine claims of benefits) are pending or, to the best knowledge of Emerald,
threatened against any Benefit Plan or against Emerald or the Thrift Subsidiary
with respect to any Benefit Plan.
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7. Disclosure of Unfunded Liabilities. All material Unfunded Liabilities
with respect to each Benefit Plan have been recorded and disclosed on the most
recent financial statement of Emerald and the Thrift Subsidiary or, if not, in
Schedule 1. For purposes hereof, the term "Unfunded Liabilities" shall mean any
amounts properly accrued to date under generally accepted accounting principles
in effect as of the date of this Agreement (GAAP), or amounts not yet accrued
for GAAP purposes but for which an obligation (which has legally accrued and
cannot legally be eliminated and which is subject to reasonable estimate) exists
for payment in the future which is attributable to any Benefit Plan, including
but not limited to (a) severance pay benefits, (b) deferred compensation or
unpaid bonuses, (c) any liabilities on account of the change in control which
will result from this Agreement, including any potential 20% excise tax under
Section 4999 of the Code relating to excess parachute payments under Section
280G of the Code, (d) any unpaid pension contributions for the current plan year
or any accumulated funding deficiency under Section 412 of the Code and related
penalties under Section 4971 of the Code, including unpaid pension contributions
or funding deficiencies owed by members of a controlled group of corporations
which includes Emerald or the Thrift Subsidiary and for which Emerald or the
Thrift Subsidiary is liable under applicable law, (e) any authorized but unpaid
profit sharing contributions or contributions under Section 401(k) and Section
401(m) of the Code, (f) retiree health benefit coverage and (g) unpaid premiums
for contributions required under any group health plan to maintain such plan's
coverage through the Effective Time.
8. Defined Benefit Pension Plan Liabilities. Emerald and the Thrift
Subsidiary (or any pension plan maintained by any of them) have not incurred any
material liability to the PBGC or the IRS with respect to any Benefit Plan which
is a defined benefit pension plan, except for the payment of PBGC premiums
pursuant to Section 4007 of ERISA, all of which if due prior to the date of this
Agreement have been fully paid, and no PBGC reportable event under Section 4043
of ERISA has occurred with respect to any such pension plan. Except as otherwise
disclosed in Schedule 1, the benefit liabilities, as defined in Section
4001(a)(16) of ERISA, of each Benefit Plan subject to Title IV of ERISA, using
the actuarial assumptions that would be used by the PBGC in the event of
termination of such plan, do not exceed the fair market value of the assets of
such plan. Neither Emerald, the Thrift Subsidiary nor any controlled group
member of Emerald or the Thrift Subsidiary participates in, or has incurred any
liability under Sections 4201, 4063 or 4064 of ERISA for a complete or partial
withdrawal from a multiple employer plan or a multi-employer plan (as defined in
Section 3(37) of ERISA).
9. Independent Trustee. Emerald and the Thrift Subsidiaries (a) have not
incurred any asserted or, to the best knowledge of Emerald, unasserted material
liability for breach of duties assumed in connection with acting as an
independent trustee of any employee pension plan (as defined in Section 3(2) of
ERISA) which is intended to be qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code and
which is maintained by an employer unrelated in ownership to Emerald or the
Thrift Subsidiary, (b) have not authorized nor knowingly participated in a
material prohibited transaction under Section 406 of ERISA and not exempt under
Section 408 of ERISA and (c) have not received notice of any material actions,
suits or claims (other than routine claims for benefits) pending or threatened
against the unrelated employer or against them.
10. Retiree Benefits. Except as listed on Schedule 1 and identified as
"Retiree Liability", Emerald and Thrift Subsidiary have no obligation to provide
medical benefits, or life insurance benefits to or with respect to retirees,
former employees or any of their relatives.
11. Right to Amend and Terminate. Except as listed on Schedule 1, Emerald
or Thrift Subsidiary has all power and authority necessary to amend or terminate
each Benefit Plan without incurring any penalty or liability provided that, in
the case of an employee pension benefit plan (as defined in section 3(2) of
ERISA), benefits accrued as of the date of amendment or termination are not
reduced.
12. Material. For purposes of this Paragraph Q as a whole, the term
"material" in connection with a liability shall mean a liability or loss, taxes,
penalties, interest and related legal fees in the total amount of $25,000 or
more, with such determination being made on the basis of the aggregate affected
participants of a Benefit Plan and not with respect to any single participant.
R. The investment portfolios of Emerald and the Thrift Subsidiary consist
of securities in marketable form. Except as disclosed in Schedule 1, since
December 31, 1998 to the date hereof neither Emerald nor the
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Thrift Subsidiary has incurred any unusual or extraordinary losses in its
investment portfolio, and, except for matters of general application to the
thrift or banking industry (including, but not limited to, changes in laws or
regulations or generally accepted accounting principles) or for events relating
to the business environment in general, including market fluctuations and
changes in interest rates, Emerald is not aware of any events which are
reasonably certain to occur in the future and which reasonably can be expected
to result in any material adverse change in the quality or performance of
Emerald's and the Thrift Subsidiary's investment portfolio on a consolidated
basis.
S. Except as disclosed in Schedule 1, there are no actions, suits, claims,
proceedings, investigations or assessments of any kind pending, or to the best
knowledge of Emerald, threatened against any of the Directors or officers of
Emerald or the Thrift Subsidiary in their capacities as such, and no Director or
officer of Emerald or the Thrift Subsidiary currently is being indemnified or
seeking to be indemnified by either Emerald or the Thrift Subsidiary pursuant to
applicable law or Emerald's Articles of Incorporation or Code of Regulations or
the Thrift Subsidiary's Charter or Bylaws.
T. Schedule 1 sets forth, among other things, exceptions to Emerald's
representations and warranties in this Section II. While Emerald has used its
best efforts to identify in Schedule 1 the particular representation or warranty
to which such exception relates, each such exception shall be deemed disclosed
for purposes of any other representations and warranties in this Section II
unless otherwise expressly stated in on Schedule 1.
U. All representations and warranties contained in this Section II shall
expire at the Effective Time, and, thereafter, neither Emerald nor the Thrift
Subsidiary nor any officer or director of either of them shall have any
liability or obligations with respect thereto.
V. There is no agreement to which Emerald is a party which (i) prohibits or
restricts Emerald's ability to perform its obligations under this Agreement, or
its ability to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby, (ii) would have
the effect of invalidating or voiding this Agreement, or any provisions hereof,
or (iii) would subject Fifth Third to any impediment or condition in connection
with the exercise of any of Fifth Third rights under this Agreement.
W. All interest rate swaps, caps, floors and option agreements and other
interest rate risk management arrangements, whether entered into for Emerald's
own account, or for the account of one or more of its subsidiaries or their
customers, were entered into (i) in accordance with prudent banking practices
and all material applicable laws, rules, regulations and regulatory policies and
(ii) with counter-parties reasonably believed to be financially responsible at
the time; and each of them constitutes the valid and legally binding obligation
of Emerald or one of its subsidiaries, enforceable in accordance with its terms
(except as such enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy,
insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, fraudulent transfer and similar laws of
general applicability relating to or affecting creditors' rights or by general
equity principles), and are in full force and effect (except to the extent that
they have been fully performed or terminated) in all respects material to
Emerald. Neither Emerald nor its subsidiaries, nor to its knowledge any other
party thereto is, in any respect material to Emerald on a consolidated basis, in
breach of any of its obligations under any such agreement or arrangement.
III. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF FIFTH THIRD
Fifth Third represents and warrants to Emerald that as of the date hereof
or as of the indicated date, as appropriate:
A. Fifth Third is duly incorporated, validly existing and in good standing
as a corporation under the corporation laws of the State of Ohio, is a
registered bank holding company under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as
amended, and is duly authorized to conduct the business in which it is engaged,
and Fifth Third Bank, N.W., is a national banking association validly existing
and in good standing as a corporation under the laws of the United States of
America and is duly authorized to conduct the business in which it is engaged.
B. Pursuant to Fifth Third's Second Amended Articles of Incorporation, as
amended, the total number of shares of capital stock Fifth Third is authorized
to have outstanding is 300,500,000 of which 300,000,000
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shares are classified as Common Stock without par value ("Fifth Third Common
Stock") and 500,000 shares are classified as Preferred Stock without par value.
Pursuant to its Proxy Statement sent to its shareholders and filed with the SEC
on February 9, 1999, Fifth Third proposed to increase the authorized number of
shares from 300,000,000 shares to 500,000,000 shares. As of the close of
business on February 1, 1999, 267,147,048 shares of Fifth Third Common Stock
were issued and outstanding and 681,214 shares were held in its treasury. As of
the date of this Agreement, no shares of its Preferred Stock have been issued.
Fifth Third does not have outstanding any stock options, subscription rights,
warrants or other securities entitling the holders to subscribe for or purchase
any shares of its capital stock other than options granted and to be granted to
employees and Directors under its stock option plans. At February 1, 1999, (a)
13,332,886 shares of Fifth Third Common Stock were reserved for issuance in
connection with outstanding options granted under it stock option plans and
11,102,535 shares were reserved for issuance under options to be granted in the
future, (b) 1,420,000 shares of Fifth Third Common Stock were reserved for the
issuance to the shareholders of Ashland Bankshares, Inc., (c) 1,800,000 shares
of Fifth Third Common Stock were reserved for the issuance to the shareholders
of Enterprise Federal Bancorp, Inc., and (d) 443,000 shares of Fifth Third
Common Stock were reserved for the issuance to the shareholders of South Florida
Bank Holding Corporation.
C. All shares of Fifth Third Common Stock to be received by the
shareholders of Emerald as a result of the merger pursuant to the terms of this
Agreement shall be, upon transfer or issuance, validly issued, fully paid and
non-assessable, and will not, upon such transfer or issuance, be subject to the
preemptive rights of any shareholder of Fifth Third.
D. Fifth Third has furnished to Emerald Fifth Third's consolidated
financial statements as at December 31, 1998, December 31, 1997 and December 31,
1996 and for the respective years then ended together with the opinions of its
independent public accountants associated therewith. Such consolidated financial
statements fairly present the consolidated financial condition of Fifth Third as
of their respective dates and for the respective periods covered thereby in
conformity with generally accepted accounting principles consistently followed
throughout the periods covered thereby. Neither Fifth Third nor any significant
subsidiaries of Fifth Third have any material liabilities, obligations or
indebtedness required to be disclosed in such financial statements other than
the liabilities, obligations and indebtedness disclosed in such financial
statements (including footnotes). Fifth Third will furnish to Emerald its
unaudited consolidated financial statements as at March 31, 1999 and for the
three (3) month period then ended as soon as such statements are publicly
available, and shall continue to furnish information for subsequent calendar
quarter periods to Emerald as soon as such subsequent quarterly statements
become publicly available until the Closing Date.
E. Except for events relating to the business environment in general: (i)
since December 31, 1998, to the date hereof there have been no material adverse
changes in the consolidated financial condition, operations or business of Fifth
Third; (ii) the chief executive officer and the chief financial officer of Fifth
Third are not aware of any events which have occurred since December 31, 1998,
or which are reasonably certain to occur in the future and which reasonably can
be expected to result in any material adverse change in the consolidated
financial condition, operations or business of Fifth Third; and (iii) since
December 31, 1998, to the date hereof there have been no material changes in the
methods of business operations of Fifth Third and its subsidiaries.
F. 1. The Executive Committee of the Board of Directors of Fifth Third, by
resolution adopted by the members present at a meeting duly called and held, at
which meeting a quorum was at all times present and acting, has approved this
Agreement, including reserving for issuance to Emerald shareholders in
accordance with this Agreement, a sufficient number of shares of Fifth Third
Common Stock. Approval and adoption of this Agreement by the shareholders of
Fifth Third is not required under Ohio law or under the Second Amended Articles
of Incorporation, as amended, or Code of Regulations of Fifth Third.
2. Fifth Third has corporate power and authority to enter into this
Agreement and to carry out its obligations hereunder subject to certain required
regulatory approvals. This Agreement, when executed and delivered, will have
been duly authorized and will constitute the valid and binding obligation of
Fifth Third,
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enforceable in accordance with its terms, except to the extent that (i)
enforceability thereof may be limited by insolvency, reorganization,
liquidation, bankruptcy, readjustment of debt or other laws of general
application relating to or affecting the enforcement of creditors' rights
generally and (ii) the availability of certain remedies may be precluded by
general principles of equity, subject, however, to the receipt of requisite
regulatory approvals.
3. Neither the execution of this Agreement nor the consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, does or will (i) conflict with,
result in a breach of, violate or constitute a default, under Fifth Third's
Second Amended Articles of Incorporation, as amended, or Code of Regulations or,
to the best knowledge of its chief executive officer and chief financial
officer, any federal, foreign, state or local law, statute, ordinance, rule,
regulation or court or administrative order, or any agreement, arrangement, or
commitment to which Fifth Third is subject or bound; (ii) to the best knowledge
of the chief executive officer and chief financial officer of Fifth Third,
result in the creation of or give any person the right to create any material
lien, charge, encumbrance, security agreement or any other material rights of
others or other material adverse interest upon any material right, property or
asset belonging to Fifth Third or any of its subsidiaries other than such rights
as may be given the shareholders of Emerald pursuant to the provisions of
Sections 1701.84 and 1701.85 of the Ohio Revised Code; (iii) terminate or give
any person the right to terminate, amend, abandon, or refuse to perform any
material agreement, arrangement or commitment to which Fifth Third is a party or
by which Fifth Third's rights, properties or assets are subject or bound; or
(iv) accelerate or modify, or give any party thereto the right to accelerate or
modify, the time within which, or the terms according to which, Fifth Third is
to perform any duties or obligations or receive any rights or benefits under any
material agreement, arrangements or commitments.
G. Complete and accurate copies of (i) the Second Amended Articles of
Incorporation, as amended, and (ii) the Code of Regulations of Fifth Third in
force as of the date hereof have been delivered to Emerald.
H. To the best knowledge of the chief executive officer and chief financial
officer of Fifth Third, neither Fifth Third nor any of its subsidiaries has
knowingly engaged in any activity or omitted to take any action which, in any
material way, has resulted or could result in the violation of (i) any local,
state or federal law or (ii) any regulation, order, injunction or decree of any
court or governmental body, the violation of either of which could reasonably be
expected to have a material adverse effect on the financial condition Fifth
Third and its subsidiaries taken as a whole. To the best knowledge of the chief
executive officer and chief financial officer of Fifth Third, Fifth Third and
its subsidiaries possess all licenses, franchise, permits and other governmental
authorizations necessary for the continued conduct of their businesses without
material interference or interruption.
I. 1. To the best knowledge of the chief executive officer and chief
financial officer of Fifth Third, neither this Agreement nor any report,
statement, list, certificate or other information furnished or to be furnished
by Fifth Third to Emerald or Emerald's agents in connection with this Agreement
or any of the transactions contemplated hereby (including, without limitation,
any information which has been or shall be supplied with respect to its business
operations and financial condition for inclusion in the proxy
statement/prospectus and registration statement relating to the Merger) contains
or shall contain (in the case of information relating to the proxy
statement/prospectus, at the time it is mailed, and, in the case of the
registration statement, at the time it becomes effective and, in the case of the
proxy statement/prospectus and the registration statement, at the time the
annual or special meeting of shareholders of Emerald is held to consider the
adoption of this Agreement) an untrue statement of a material fact or omits or
shall omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements contained
herein or therein, in light of the circumstances in which they are made, not
misleading.
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2. Fifth Third has furnished to Emerald or Emerald's agents true and
complete copies (including all exhibits and all documents incorporated by
reference) of the following documents as filed by Fifth Third with the SEC:
a. Fifth Third's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 1998;
b. any Current Report on Form 8-K with respect to any event occurring
after December 31, 1998 and prior to the date of this Agreement;
c. any report filed by Fifth Third to amend or modify any of the
reports described above; and
d. all proxy statements prepared in connection with meetings of Fifth
Third's shareholders held or to be held subsequent to December 31, 1998.
The information set forth in the documents described in this subsection 2
(including all exhibits thereto and all documents incorporated therein by
reference) did not, as of the dates on which such reports were filed with the
SEC, (a) contain any untrue statement of a material fact, (b) omit any material
fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements contained
therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not
misleading, or (c) omit any material exhibit required to be filed therewith.
Prior to the date hereof no event has occurred subsequent to December 31, 1998
which Fifth Third is required to describe in a Current Report on Form 8-K other
than the Current Reports heretofore furnished by Fifth Third to Emerald. Fifth
Third timely shall furnish Emerald with copies of all reports filed by Fifth
Third with the SEC subsequent to the date of this Agreement and until the
Closing Date.
J. There are no actions, suits, proceedings, investigations or assessments
of any kind pending or, to the best knowledge of the chief executive officer and
chief financial officer of Fifth Third, threatened against Fifth Third or any
Fifth Third subsidiary, which reasonably can be expected to result in any
material adverse change in the consolidated financial condition, operations or
business of Fifth Third.
K. Since December 31, 1998 to the date hereof, none of Fifth Third's
banking subsidiaries and thrift subsidiaries has incurred any unusual or
extraordinary loan losses which would be material to Fifth Third on a
consolidated basis; and to the best knowledge and belief of the chief executive
officer and chief financial officer of Fifth Third, and in the light of any
banking or thrift subsidiary's historical loan loss experience and their
managements' analysis of the quality and performance of their respective loan
portfolios, as of December 31, 1998, their consolidated reserves for loan losses
are adequate to absorb all known and reasonably anticipated losses as of such
date.
L. Fifth Third and its subsidiaries have filed all federal, state and local
tax returns required to be filed (after giving effect to all extensions) by
them, respectively, and have paid or provided for all tax liabilities shown to
be due thereon or which have been assessed against them, respectively.
M. Fifth Third has not, directly or indirectly, dealt with any broker or
finder in connection with this transaction and has not incurred and will not
incur any obligation for any broker's or finder's fee or commission in
connection with the transactions provided for in this Agreement.
N. Fifth Third has no unfunded liabilities with respect to any Benefit Plan
(as such term is defined in subparagraph Q.1. of Section II hereof, but applied
to Fifth Third, its subsidiaries and affiliates) that are material, either
individually or in the aggregate, to Fifth Third on a consolidated basis and
that have not been recorded and disclosed as required by generally accepted
accounting principles (GAAP) in the most recent year-end, audited financial
statements of Fifth Third supplied to Emerald pursuant to Paragraph D of Section
III hereof.
O. The investment portfolios of Fifth Third and its subsidiaries and
affiliates consist of securities in marketable form. Since December 31, 1998, to
the date hereof Fifth Third and its affiliates, on a consolidated basis, have
not incurred any unusual or extraordinary losses in their respective investment
portfolios, and, except for events relating to the business environment in
general, including market fluctuations, the management of Fifth Third is not
aware of any events which are reasonably certain to occur in the future and
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which reasonably can be expected to result in any material adverse change in the
quality or performance of the investment portfolios of Fifth Third and its
affiliates on a consolidated basis.
P. As of the date hereof, Fifth Third is not aware of the existence of any
factor that would materially delay or materially hinder issuance of any of the
required regulatory approvals necessary to consummate the Merger or the other
transactions contemplated hereby.
Q. All representations and warranties contained in this Section III shall
expire at the Effective Time, and thereafter, neither Fifth Third nor any
officer or Director of Fifth Third shall have any further liability or
obligation with respect thereto, except for any misrepresentations, breaches of
warranties or violations of covenants that were made with intent to defraud.
IV. OBLIGATIONS OF EMERALD BETWEEN THE DATE OF THIS AGREEMENT AND THE EFFECTIVE
TIME.
A. Emerald, in consultation with Fifth Third, will take all actions
necessary to call and hold an annual or a special meeting of Emerald's
shareholders as soon as practicable after the Fifth Third registration statement
relating to this transaction has been declared effective by the Securities and
Exchange Commission (the "SEC") and under all applicable state securities laws
for the purpose of approving and adopting this Agreement and any other documents
or actions necessary to the consummation of the Merger provided for herein
pursuant to law. The Board of Directors of Emerald intends to inform the
shareholders of Emerald in the proxy materials relating to the annual or special
meeting that all Directors of Emerald presently intend to vote all shares of
Emerald Common Stock which they own of record in favor of approving this
Agreement and any such other necessary documents or actions, and all Directors
will recommend approval of this Agreement to the other shareholders of Emerald,
subject only to such Directors' fiduciary obligations, the Directors' receipt of
an updated fairness opinion from McDonald Investments Inc. received immediately
prior to the effectiveness of the registration statement and Emerald's review of
Fifth Third's registration statement to be filed with the SEC as set forth in
Article IV Section A hereof and Emerald's reasonable satisfaction with the
information set forth therein.
B. (i) Consistent with generally accepted accounting principles, Emerald
agrees that on or before the Effective Time based on a review of the Thrift
Subsidiary's loan losses, current classified assets and commercial, multi-family
and residential mortgage loans and investment portfolio, Emerald will work with
Fifth Third with the goal of establishing collection procedures, internal
valuation reviews, credit policies and practices and general valuation
allowances which are consistent with the guidelines used within the Fifth Third
holding company system, provided that no adjustment to general valuation
allowances or reserves shall be made until immediately prior to the Effective
Time and all conditions precedent to the obligations of the parties hereto have
either been satisfied or waived as confirmed by such parties in writing. Fifth
Third shall provide such assistance and direction to Emerald as is necessary in
conforming to such polices, practices, procedures and asset dispositions which
are mutually agreeable between the date of this Agreement until the Effective
Time; and (ii) from the date of this Agreement until the Effective Time, Emerald
and the Thrift Subsidiary each will be operated in the ordinary course of
business, and neither of them will, without the prior written consent of Fifth
Third, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld: except for ordinary
costs and expenses incurred in the construction of the Northfield branch and the
Avon Lake office (provided that Emerald consults with Fifth Third regarding the
Northfield branch prior to commencing any construction thereof) and payments
owed for labor, materials and furniture relating to the repairs and improvement
to Emerald's headquarters, make any changes in its capital or corporate
structures; issue any additional shares of its Common Stock other than pursuant
to the exercise of options granted prior to the date hereof; issue any other
equity securities, other than pursuant to the exercise of options granted prior
to the date hereof; or, issue as borrower any long term debt or convertible or
other securities of any kind, or right to acquire any of its securities; make
any material changes in its method of business operations; make, enter into any
agreement to make, or become obligated to make, any capital expenditures in
excess of $25,000, make, enter into or renew any agreement for services to be
provided to Emerald or the Thrift Subsidiary or permit the automatic renewal of
any such agreement, other than the agreements identified in Schedule 1 which are
specifically identified on such Schedule as agreements which Emerald intends to
renew, except any agreement for services having a term of not more than three
months or requiring the expenditure of not more than $25,000
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(for this purpose the phrase "permit the automatic renewal" includes the failure
to send a notice of termination of such contract if such failure would
constitute a renewal), open for business any branch office which has been
approved by the appropriate regulatory authorities but not yet opened or apply
to the appropriate regulatory authorities to establish a new branch office or
expand any existing branch office, however, Emerald may proceed to file an
application with appropriate regulatory authorities for operation of its
proposed Northfield branch; acquire, become obligated to acquire, or enter into
any agreement to acquire, any banking or non-banking company or any branch
offices of any such companies; other than such Agreements existing on the date
hereof and disclosed to Fifth Third; declare or pay any cash dividends on its
own stock other than normal and customary cash dividends per quarter paid in
such amounts and at such times as Emerald historically has done on its Common
Stock and which shall not exceed $.05 per share or be paid more frequently than
once per calendar quarter, provided this covenant shall only apply to Emerald,
and provided further that notwithstanding anything to the contrar y herein,
Emerald and Fifth Third shall cooperate in selecting the Effective Time to
ensure that the holders of Emerald Common Stock do not become entitled to
receive both a dividend with respect to their Emerald Common Stock and a
dividend with respect to their Fifth Third Common Stock or fail to be entitled
to receive any dividend with respect to any quarterly period or portion thereof
in which the Effective Time occurs; pay any stock dividends or make any other
distributions on its stock other than cash dividends as described in the
immediately preceding clause; change or otherwise amend any Benefit Plans other
than as required by law or as contemplated herein; and provide any increases in
employee salaries or benefits other than in the ordinary course of business,
Emerald agrees that it will not sell or otherwise dispose of or encumber any of
the shares of the capital stock of the Thrift Subsidiary which are now owned by
it.
C. Not later than the 15th day prior to the mailing of Emerald's proxy
statement with respect to the Merger, Emerald shall deliver to Fifth Third a
list of each person that, to the best of Emerald's knowledge, is or is
reasonably likely to be, as of the date of the annual or special meeting called
to approve the Merger, deemed an "affiliate" of it as that term is used in Rule
145 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or SEC Accounting Series
Releases 130 and 135 (the "Emerald Affiliates"). Emerald shall use its best
efforts to cause each Emerald Affiliate to execute and deliver to Fifth Third on
or before the mailing of such proxy statement an agreement in the form of
Appendix D hereto.
D. Subsequent to December 31, 1998 through the Closing Date, Emerald and
the Thrift Subsidiary will accrue during 1999 (a) an amount to distribute as a
retention bonus to employees of the Thrift Subsidiary payable to the employees,
in the amounts and on the terms set forth on Schedule 1, and (b) an amount
sufficient to fund pro rata annual incentive compensation payments, annual bonus
plan payments and non-annual incentive plan payments in the amounts, for their
employees eligible for such payments all of which are payable as more fully set
forth in Schedule 1. Emerald shall be entitled to make such payments based upon
the earnings and operating profitability of Emerald and the Thrift Subsidiary
without deduction of merger-related expenses.
V. COOPERATION AND OTHER OBLIGATIONS AND OTHER COVENANTS
A. Fifth Third will, prepare and cause to be filed at its expense such
applications and other documents with the Board of Governors of the Federal
Reserve System, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, the Federal
Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Ohio Division of Financial Institutions, the
Office of Thrift Supervision, and any other governmental agencies as are
required to secure the requisite approval of such agencies to the consummation
of the transactions provided for in this Agreement, and the parties shall
cooperate in the preparation of an appropriate registration statement, including
the prospectus, proxy statement, and such other documents necessary to comply
with all federal and state securities laws relating to the registration and
issuance of the shares of Fifth Third Common Stock to be issued to the
shareholders of Emerald in this transaction (the expenses thereof, other than
accounting, legal, investment banking, financial consulting and associated
expenses of Emerald and its affiliates, to be paid by Fifth Third), and any
other laws applicable to the transactions provided for in this Agreement. Fifth
Third shall use all reasonable efforts to file all such applications within
ninety (90) days of the date of this Agreement and to secure all such approvals.
Emerald agrees that it will, as promptly as practicable after request and at its
own expense, provide
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Fifth Third with all information and documents concerning Emerald and Thrift
Subsidiary, as shall be required in connection with preparing such applications,
registration statements and other documents and in connection with securing such
approvals. Prior to filing any such applications or other documents with the
applicable governmental agencies, Fifth Third shall provide copies thereof to
Emerald. Fifth Third agrees that it will, as promptly as practicable after
request and at its own expense, provide Emerald with all information and
documents concerning Fifth Third and its subsidiaries as shall be required in
connection with preparing such applications, registration statements and other
documents which are to be prepared and filed by Emerald and in connection with
approvals required to be obtained by Emerald hereunder. Prior to filing any such
applications, statements or other documents with the applicable governmental
agency, Emerald shall provide, at least five (5) days prior to the filing date,
copies thereof to Fifth Third.
B. Each of the parties hereto agrees to use its best efforts and to
cooperate with the other party in all reasonable respects in order to carry out
and consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement at the earliest
practicable time including, without limitation, the filing of applications,
notices and other documents with, and obtaining approval from, appropriate
governmental regulatory agencies.
C. Emerald agrees to permit Fifth Third, its officers, employees,
accountants, agents and attorneys, and Fifth Third agrees to permit Emerald, its
officers, employees, accountants, agents and attorneys, to have reasonable
access during business hours to their respective books, records and properties,
and those of the Thrift Subsidiary and Fifth Third Bank, N.W., as well, for the
purpose of making a detailed examination, or updating and amplifying prior
examinations, of the financial condition, assets, liabilities, legal compliance,
affairs and the conduct of the business of Emerald and the Thrift Subsidiary or
Fifth Third or Fifth Third Bank, N.W., as the case may be, prior to the
Effective Time, and also to permit the monitoring of the foregoing on an ongoing
basis (such rights of examination and monitoring to be subject to the
confidentiality obligations set forth in such Paragraph VII.D. hereof);
provided, however, that any such examination by Fifth Third or Emerald shall not
relieve Fifth Third or Emerald from any responsibility or liability for any
material misrepresentation or material breach of warranty hereunder discovered
in the course of or subsequently to such examination and prior to the Effective
Time.
D. If all Emerald Rights have not been exercised prior to the Effective
Time, such Emerald Rights shall be converted to options to purchase Fifth Third
Common Stock based on the Exchange Ratio with the option exercise price adjusted
accordingly to take into account the change in the number of options.
E. (1) Emerald or Thrift Subsidiary shall take all actions necessary to
freeze the Qualified Benefit Plans as of a date least thirty (30) days prior to
the Effective Time such that no further contributions (including employee 401(k)
contributions) shall be made under the Qualified Benefit Plans after the
Effective Time. Emerald and Thrift Subsidiary shall have the right to make
discretionary contributions to the Thrift Subsidiary Profit Sharing Plan
("Profit Sharing Plan") with respect to the 1999 plan year but such
contributions shall not exceed $270,000 (as reduced, if applicable, by the
amounts described in (6) below), provided that the Profit Sharing Plan is first
amended in a manner approved in advance by Fifth Third (which approval shall not
be unreasonably withheld or delayed) to provide for the allocation of the
contribution for the period prior to the Effective Time. In addition, Emerald
and Thrift Subsidiary shall be entitled to continue to make employer
contributions to the 401(k) plan so long as such contributions are required by
the 401(k) plan and are consistent with prior levels and rates of employer
contributions.
(2) If Fifth Third so requests, Emerald or the Thrift Subsidiary shall
develop a plan and timetable for terminating any or all of the Qualified Benefit
Plans, and, with the advance written approval of Fifth Third, shall proceed with
the implementation of said termination plan and timetable.
(3) Emerald and Thrift Subsidiary, without the advance written consent of
Fifth Third, which shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed, shall not (a)
adopt any amendments to the Qualified Benefit Plans after the date of this
Agreement (except as set forth in Section (1) above); or (b) make any
distributions from the Qualified Benefit Plans after the date of this Agreement;
or (c) except as set forth in Section (1) above, make any contributions to the
Qualified Benefit Plans (except 401(k) employee contributions) after the date of
this Agreement.
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(4) Emerald or Thrift Subsidiary shall provide to Fifth Third at least
sixty (60) days prior to the Effective Time, documentation reasonably
satisfactory to Fifth Third demonstrating that the requirements of Sections 404,
412, 415, 416, 401(k) and (m) of the Code have been satisfied by all of its
Qualified Benefit Plans.
(5) With respect to any Benefit Plan that provides for vesting of benefits,
there shall be no discretionary acceleration of vesting without Fifth Third's
consent whether or not such discretionary acceleration of vesting is provided
under the terms of the Benefit Plan; provided that a Benefit Plan which pursuant
to its terms provides for an acceleration of vesting upon a change of control of
Emerald shall not be deemed to involve a discretionary acceleration of vesting
and vesting thereunder shall accelerate as of the Effective Time.
(6) (a) Within three (3) weeks of the date of the Agreement, Emerald or
Thrift Subsidiary shall cause to be filed with the Internal Revenue Service
applications for complete determination letters covering (i) The Strongsville
Savings Bank 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan including any and all amendments to
that plan (including in particular the amendments executed on November 28, 1995
and March 26, 1997) and (ii) The Strongsville Savings Bank, Profit Sharing Plan
including any and all amendments to the plan.
(b) Within three (3) weeks of the date of the Agreement, Emerald or Thrift
Subsidiary shall cause the testing required by Code Sections 415, 404 and 416 to
be properly computed for the years 1995 through 1998; and the results of those
tests shall be provided to Fifth Third. If any of those limits are violated,
Fifth Third may require Emerald or Thrift Subsidiary to properly compute the
tests for earlier years.
(c) If there are any violations of the limits referred to in (b) above or
if any other violations or requirements applicable to the Qualified Benefit
Plans are identified, Emerald or Thrift Subsidiary shall take such corrective
actions as Fifth Third requires.
(d) Any and all costs incurred by Emerald or Thrift Subsidiary in
connection with (a), (b) and (c) above including but not limited to any required
plan contributions, taxes, penalties or other payments to the IRS, legal fees
and administrative firm fees that, in total are in excess of $100,000, shall
reduce the $270,000 amount that otherwise could be contributed under (1) above
so that only the net amount may be contributed.
VI. CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO CLOSING.
A. Conditions to the Obligations of Each of the Parties:
The obligation of each of the parties hereto to consummate the transactions
provided for herein is subject to the fulfillment on or prior to the Effective
Time of each of the following conditions:
1. The shareholders of Emerald shall have duly approved and adopted
this Agreement in accordance with and as required by law and in accordance
with Emerald's Articles of Incorporation and Code of Regulations.
2. All necessary governmental and regulatory orders, consents,
clearances and approvals and requirements shall have been secured and
satisfied for the consummation of such transactions, including without
limitation, those of the Federal Reserve System, the Ohio Division of
Financial Institutions, the Office of Thrift Supervision and the Federal
Deposit Insurance Corporation to the extent required.
3. Prior to or at the Effective Time, no material investigation by any
state or federal agency shall have been threatened or instituted seeking to
enjoin or prohibit, or enjoining or prohibiting, the transactions
contemplated hereby and no material governmental action or proceeding shall
have been threatened or instituted before any court or government body or
authority, seeking to enjoin or prohibit, or enjoining or prohibiting, the
transactions contemplated hereby other than investigations, actions and
proceedings which have been withdrawn prior to or at the Effective Time
without material adverse effect to Fifth Third or Emerald and other than
regularly scheduled regulatory examinations.
4. Any waiting period mandated by law in respect of the final approval
by any applicable Federal regulator(s) of the transaction contemplated
herein shall have expired.
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B. Conditions to the Obligations of Fifth Third:
The obligation of Fifth Third to consummate the transactions provided for
herein is subject to the fulfillment at or prior to the Effective Time of each
of the following conditions unless waived by Fifth Third in a writing delivered
to Emerald which specifically refers to the condition or conditions being
waived:
1. All of the representations and warranties of Emerald set forth in
Section II of this Agreement shall be true and correct in all material
respects as of the date of this Agreement and at and as of the Closing Date
(as hereinafter defined) as if each such representation and warranty was
given on and as of the Closing Date, except for (i) any such
representations and warranties made as of a specified date, which shall be
true and correct in all material respects as of such date, and (ii)
inaccuracies of representations and warranties which would not have, or
would not reasonably be expected to have, a material adverse effect on the
financial condition, business or operations of Emerald and the Thrift
Subsidiary taken as a whole.
2. Emerald shall have performed all of the obligations required of it
under the terms of this Agreement, except for breaches of obligations which
would not have, or would not reasonably be expected to have, any material
adverse effect on the financial condition, business or operations of
Emerald and the Thrift Subsidiary taken as a whole.
3. Grady & Associates, counsel for Emerald and the Thrift Subsidiary,
shall have delivered an opinion addressed to Fifth Third in substantially
the form appended hereto as Appendix A.
4. The aggregate amount of consolidated shareholders' equity
(including Common Stock and Retained Earnings and excluding Treasury Stock)
of Emerald immediately prior to the Effective Time, as shown by and
reflected in its books and records of accounts on a consolidated basis in
accordance with generally accepted principles, consistently applied, shall
not be less than $54,784,000. For purposes of this subparagraph 4 to
Section VI.B., (A) any expenses or accruals after the date hereof relating
to (i) the adjustments contemplated by Section IV.B.(i) herein, (ii)
termination or funding of any of Emerald's or the Thrift Subsidiary's
Benefit Plans, as contemplated herein, (iii) expenses associated with the
Merger, or (iv) expenses or losses associated with the valuing of the
investments of Emerald or the Thrift Subsidiary at current market value as
required by generally accepted accounting principles (including without
limitation the requirements of accounting rule SFAS 115) shall be excluded
for purposes of calculation of Emerald's shareholders' equity as
contemplated herein prior to the Effective Time.
5. Emerald's independent certified public accountants shall have
reviewed the unaudited consolidated financial statements of Emerald as at
the end of the month immediately preceding the Effective Time, as well as
the unaudited separate financial statements of the Thrift Subsidiary as of
the same date, performed such other auditing procedures as may be requested
by Fifth Third and reported in good faith that they are not aware of any
material modifications which would have a material adverse effect on the
financial condition of Emerald or the Thrift Subsidiary that should be made
in order for such financial statements to (i) be in conformity with
generally accepted accounting principles, consistently applied, excluding
the presentation of footnotes, and (ii) accurately state the financial
condition and results of operations of Emerald and the Thrift Subsidiary,
and such modifications, in either case, would have a material adverse
effect on the financial condition of Emerald or the Thrift Subsidiary.
6. The receipt of a certificate from Emerald and the Thrift
Subsidiary, executed by the chief executive officer and chief financial
officer of each, dated the Closing Date, certifying to the best knowledge
and belief of the chief executive officer and chief financial officer of
each that: (i) all of the representations and warranties set forth in
Section II hereof were true and correct as of the date of this Agreement
and as of the Closing Date in all material respects, except for any such
representations and warranties made as of a specified date, which shall be
true and correct in all material respects as of such date; and (ii) each of
Emerald and the Thrift Subsidiary has met and fully complied in all
material
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respects with all of the obligations required of each of Emerald and the
Thrift Subsidiary under the terms of this Agreement.
7. The total issued and outstanding shares of Emerald Common Stock
shall not exceed 11,449,963 shares including all options to purchase
Emerald Common Stock. As of the date of execution of this Agreement,
Emerald shall have taken all steps necessary to cease accepting
contributions in the form of cash or dividend reinvestments with respect to
Emerald's Dividend Reinvestment Plan (the "Emerald DRI Plan").
8. (a) In consideration of the consummation of this transaction, the
Directors of Emerald shall execute and deliver to Fifth Third an agreement
by which the Directors shall agree for the Restricted Period to refrain
from directly or indirectly, whether for their own account or for the
account of any other person, firm, corporation, or other business
organization, (i) in the states of Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, Florida or
Arizona, engage in providing Banking Services (as defined below) on behalf
of any other business organization who is a competitor of Fifth Third, (ii)
provide Banking Services to any Client (as defined below), (iii) make any
statement or take any actions that may interfere with Fifth Third's or any
Affiliate's business relationships with any Client, (iv) contact either
directly or indirectly any Client or otherwise induce or attempt to induce
any Client to enter into any business relationship with any person or firm
other than Fifth Third or an Affiliate relating to Banking Services of any
type, (v) endeavor or entice away from Fifth Third any person who the
Director has actual knowledge that such person is, or was at any time
during the period the Director was employed by Fifth Third or during the
Restricted Period, employed by or associated with Fifth Third as an
executive, officer, employee, manager, salesperson, consultant, independent
contractor, representative or other agent, or (vi) take any actions that
may interfere with Fifth Third's property rights in lists of Clients or
otherwise diminish the value of such lists to Fifth Third. Notwithstanding
any provision contained in this Section 8, the restrictions contained
herein shall not be applicable to (i) any activity of the Director which
existed at the time of this Agreement and which was disclosed by the
Director to Fifth Third, or (ii) any activity of the Director's spouse.
(b) The term "Restricted Period" shall mean the period beginning on
the Effective Date and ending the earlier of: (i) two (2) years after the
removal of the Director from the Board of Directors or (ii) three (3) years
from the Effective Time.
(c) The term "Banking Services" shall mean retail or commercial
deposit or lending business, asset management and all other services which
are customarily provided by banks or which are otherwise provided by Fifth
Third or its affiliates.
(d) For all purposes of this Agreement, the term "Client" shall mean
all persons or entities who are or were clients of Fifth Third at the date
of termination of employment or at any time during the two year period
prior to the date of termination of the Director's term, any potential
clients who to the Director's actual knowledge, have been identified and
contacted by a representative of Fifth Third. The term "Client" shall not
include any member of the Employee's immediate family, as defined under
Rule 16a-1 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the
"Exchange Act") or any trust of which the Employee or any member of his
immediate family (as defined in Rule 16a-1 of the Exchange Act) is a
trustee or beneficiary.
9. No material adverse differences or deviations exist between the
financial information presented by Emerald's unaudited financial statements
dated as of December 31, 1998 and the audited financial statements
delivered to Fifth Third for the same period to be delivered to Fifth Third
subsequent to the execution of this Agreement.
10. On the date of execution of this Agreement, Joan M. Dzurilla
executes and delivers to Fifth Third a Shareholder Support Agreement in the
form of Appendix G attached hereto.
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C. Conditions to the Obligations of Emerald:
The obligation of Emerald to consummate the transactions provided for
herein is subject to the fulfillment at or prior to the Effective Time of each
of the following conditions unless waived by Emerald in a writing delivered to
Fifth Third which specifically refers to the condition or conditions being
waived:
1. All of the representations and warranties of Fifth Third set forth
in Section III of this Agreement shall be true and correct in all material
respects as of the date of this Agreement and at and as of the Closing Date
as if each such representation and warranty was given on and as of the
Closing Date, except for any such representations and warranties made as of
a specified date, which shall be true and correct in all material respects
as of such date.
2. Fifth Third shall have performed all of the obligations required of
it under the terms of this Agreement in all material respects.
3. Paul L. Reynolds, counsel for Fifth Third, shall have delivered an
opinion addressed to Emerald in substantially the form appended hereto as
Appendix B.
4. The receipt of a certificate from Fifth Third, executed by its
chief executive officer and chief financial officer, dated the Closing
Date, certifying to each of such officers' best knowledge and belief that:
(i) all of the representations and warranties set forth in Section III were
true and correct as of the date of this Agreement and as of the Closing
Date, except for any such representations and warranties made as of a
specified date, which shall be true and correct in all material respects as
of such date; and, (ii) Fifth Third has met and fully complied in all
material respects with all of the obligations required of it under the
terms of this Agreement.
5. Fifth Third shall have registered its shares of Common Stock to be
issued to the Emerald shareholders hereunder with the SEC pursuant to the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and with all applicable state
securities authorities. The registration statement with respect thereto
shall have been declared effective by the SEC and all applicable state
securities authorities and no stop order shall have been issued. The shares
of Fifth Third Common Stock to be issued to the Emerald shareholders
hereunder shall have been authorized for trading on the National Market
System of the National Association of Securities Dealers upon official
notice of issuance.
6. Fifth Third's Trust Department, as the Exchange Agent, will
acknowledge in writing to Emerald that Fifth Third's Trust Department is in
receipt of (i) certificates representing a whole number of shares of Fifth
Third Common Stock to be issued to the shareholders of Emerald pursuant to
this Agreement, and (ii) sufficient cash to be paid to the Emerald
shareholders for fractional shares.
7. Fifth Third shall have executed and delivered the Fifth Third
Employment Contracts (as defined in Article VII, Section B, Subsection 4 of
this Agreement) and provide, or make provision for payment of any and all
severance payments described in Article VII below.
8. Fifth Third and Emerald shall have received an opinion of Graydon,
Head & Ritchey, dated as of the Closing Date, in form and substance
satisfactory to Fifth Third and Emerald and its counsel, to the effect
that, on the basis of facts, representations and assumptions set forth in
such opinion, the Merger will qualify as a reorganization described in
Section 368(a) of the Code. In rendering such opinion, Graydon, Head &
Ritchey may require and rely upon the representations contained in the
certificates of officers of Fifth Third and Emerald, as well as beneficial
owners of five (5) percent or more of the outstanding Emerald Common Stock
if Graydon, Head & Ritchey determines that such certificates are necessary
for purposes of rendering their opinion.
9. Fifth Third shall have received a letter from Deloitte & Touche,
LLP, as Fifth Third's independent public accountant, and Emerald shall have
received a letter from KPMG Peat Marwick LLP, as Emerald's independent
public accountant to the effect that the Merger will qualify for "pooling
of interests" accounting treatment.
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VII. ADDITIONAL COVENANTS
A. The Thrift Subsidiary shall be merged with and into Fifth Third Bank,
N.W., to be effective at the Effective Time. The parties hereto agree to
cooperate with one another to effect such merger. Upon consummation of any
merger of the Thrift Subsidiary, the separate corporate existence of the Thrift
Subsidiary shall cease by operation of law.
B. 1. Fifth Third shall consider employing at Fifth Third or other Fifth
Third subsidiaries or affiliates as many of the Emerald and Thrift Subsidiary
employees who desire employment within the Fifth Third holding company system as
possible, to the extent of available positions and consistent with Fifth Third's
standard staffing levels and personnel policies; provided that such continuing
employees will not be subject to any exclusion or penalty for pre-existing
conditions that were covered under the Thrift Subsidiary's medical plan
immediately prior to the Effective Time or any waiting period relating to
coverage under Fifth Third's medical plan.
2. Those employees who do not have an employment or severance agreement and
who are not to be employed by Fifth Third or who are terminated or voluntarily
resign after being notified that, as a condition of employment, such employee
must work at a location more than thirty (30) miles from such employee's former
location of employment or that such employee's salary will be decreased, in any
case and in both cases, within thirty (30) days after the Effective Time, and
who sign and deliver a termination and release agreement in the form attached as
Appendix C hereto, shall be entitled to severance pay equal to, in the case of
officers of Emerald or the Thrift Subsidiary, two (2) weeks of pay for each year
of service up to a maximum of twelve (12) weeks of pay; in the case of all other
exempt employees two (2) weeks of pay for each year of service up to a maximum
of eight (8) weeks of pay; and in the case of all other employees two (2) weeks
of pay for each year of service up to a maximum of eight (8) weeks of pay for
these purposes, if there has been a break in an employee's period of employment,
the prior period shall be added to the current period of employment. Fifth Third
shall provide sufficient notification to Emerald of those employees it will not
be hiring in order that such employees terminated by Emerald can be given
appropriate notice of termination in advance of the effectiveness thereof.
Nothing contained in this Paragraph VII.B.2 shall be construed or interpreted to
limit or modify in any way Fifth Third's at will employment policy.
3. Any officer of Emerald or the Thrift Subsidiary who has an employment or
severance agreement with Emerald or the Thrift Subsidiary as of December 31,
1998 (each a "Contract Officer") shall receive as of the Effective Time, the
severance or termination payments provided for in their respective employment
agreements in effect as of such date ("Contract Payments") as their sole
severance payments from Emerald and Fifth Third in connection with the Merger.
As a condition to receiving their Contract Payments each Contract Officer shall
sign and deliver to Fifth Third a termination and release agreement. All such
agreements shall be in the form attached hereto as Appendix VII.B.3. Fifth Third
agrees to honor and pay on the Effective Date the change in control portions of
the employment agreements of Thomas Perciak and John F. Ziegler. In addition,
Fifth Third agrees to pay Mr. Perciak a retention bonus of $115,000 on the
Closing Date provided Mr. Perciak remains employed by the Thrift Subsidiary
through that date. Notwithstanding the foregoing or any other provision of this
Agreement, in no event shall any Contract Officer receive any payment that would
be considered an "Excess Parachute Payment" pursuant to Section 280(G) of the
Code.
4. Fifth Third agrees that (a) Thomas P. Perciak shall be appointed as
Executive Vice President and Director of Fifth Third Bank, N.W. for a term of
one (1) year from and after the Effective Time, (b) Kenneth J. Piechowski shall
be appointed a Director of Fifth Third Bank, N.W. for a term of one (1) year
from and after the Effective Time, and (c) Mike Kalinich, Sr. shall be appointed
shall be appointed as a Director of Fifth Third Bank, N.W. Fifth Third shall
enter into employment agreements with Thomas P. Perciak and John F. Ziegler to
be employed with Fifth Third Bank, N.W. in the form of Appendix E & Appendix F,
respectively, attached hereto (the "Fifth Third Employment Contracts").
5. Subject to normal credit evaluation and standard loan guidelines, a
Fifth Third subsidiary bank will provide financing to qualified option holders
to allow them to fully exercise any outstanding options to purchase Fifth Third
stock issued by Emerald.
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6. On or before the dates of expiration thereof, Fifth Third agrees to
allow Emerald to renew the term of each of the severance agreements with the
employees of Emerald and the Thrift Subsidiary as more fully described on
Schedule 1, on the same terms and conditions as are currently in place, other
than the expiration date set forth therein, copies of which have been provided
to Fifth Third by Emerald.
7. Fifth Third agrees that it will honor, assume and perform the
obligations of Emerald and the Thrift Subsidiary under its Executive
Supplemental Benefit Agreements dated January 1, 1995 and dated July 15, 1997
relating to Messrs. Perciak and Ziegler (the "SERPs"). Messrs. Perciak and
Ziegler acknowledge and agree that there will be no vesting of benefits
thereunder by reason of a change in control and no payments to other officers
shall be made in any manner that would result in an "excess parachute payment"
(as defined in Section 280G of the Code).
C. (i) From and after the Effective Time, Fifth Third shall assume the
obligations of Emerald and Thrift Subsidiary or any of their subsidiaries
arising under applicable Ohio and Federal law in existence as of the date hereof
or as amended prior to the Effective Time and under the Emerald Articles of
Incorporation and Code of Regulations or Thrift Subsidiary Articles of
Incorporation, Constitution or Bylaws as in effect on the date hereof to
indemnify, defend and hold harmless each person who is now, or has been at any
time prior to the date hereof or who become, prior to the Effective Time, an
officer or director of Emerald, Thrift Subsidiary, or any of their subsidiaries
(the "Indemnified Parties") against losses, claims, damages, costs, expenses
(including reasonable attorneys' fees), liabilities or judgments or amounts that
are paid in settlement (which settlement shall require the prior written consent
of Fifth Third) of or in connection with any claim, action, suit, proceeding or
investigation (a "Claim") in which an Indemnified Party is, or is threatened to
be made, a party or a witness based in whole or in part on or arising in whole
or in part out of the fact that such person is or was a director or officer of
Emerald, the Thrift Subsidiary or any of their subsidiaries if such Claim
pertains to any matter or fact arising, existing or occurring prior to the
Effective Time (including, without limitation, the merger and the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement), regardless of whether such Claim is asserted or
claimed prior to, at or after the Effective Time. Fifth Third shall pay expenses
in advance of the final disposition of any such action or proceeding to each
Indemnified Party to the full extent permitted by law and under the Emerald
Articles of Incorporation or Code of Regulations or Thrift Subsidiary's Articles
of Incorporation, Constitution or Bylaws. Fifth Third's assumption of the
indemnification obligations of Emerald, Thrift Subsidiary or any of their
subsidiaries as provided herein shall continue for a period of three years after
the Effective Time or, in the case of claims asserted prior to the fifth
anniversary of the Effective Time until such matters are finally resolved. Any
Indemnified Party wishing to claim indemnification under this provision, upon
learning of any Claim shall notify Fifth Third (but the failure to so notify
Fifth Third shall not relieve Fifth Third from any liability which Fifth Third
may have under this section except to the extent Fifth Third is materially
prejudiced thereby). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Indemnified Parties as a
group may retain only one law firm to represent them with respect to each matter
under this section unless there is, under applicable standards of professional
conduct, a conflict on any one significant issue between the positions of any
two or more Indemnified Parties.
(ii) From and after the Effective Time, the directors, officers and
employees of Emerald and its subsidiaries who become directors, officers or
employees of Fifth Third or any of its subsidiaries, except for the
indemnification rights set forth in subparagraph (i) above, shall have
indemnification rights with prospective application only. The prospective
indemnification rights shall consist of such rights to which directors, officers
or employees of Fifth Third or the subsidiary by which such person is employed
are entitled under the provisions of the Articles of Incorporation of Fifth
Third or similar governing documents of Fifth Third or its applicable
subsidiaries, as in effect from time to time after the Effective Time, as
applicable, and provisions of applicable law as in effect from time to time
after the Effective Time.
(iii) The obligations of Fifth Third provided under this Section VII.C. are
intended to benefit, and be enforceable against Fifth Third directly by, the
Indemnified Parties, and shall be binding on all respective successors of Fifth
Third.
(iv) Fifth Third shall also purchase and keep in force for a three (3) year
period, a policy of directors' and officers' liability insurance to provide
coverage for acts or omissions of the type currently covered by
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Emerald's existing directors' and officers' liability insurance for acts or
omission occurring on or prior to the Effective Time, but only to the extent
such insurance may be purchased or kept in full force on commercially reasonable
terms taking into account the cost thereof and the benefits provided thereby. It
is agreed that such costs shall be commercially reasonable so long as they do
not exceed 150% of the costs currently paid for such coverage by Emerald.
D. Fifth Third will not disclose to others, shall not use in respect of its
(or any of its subsidiaries) business operations, and will hold in confidence
any non-public, confidential information disclosed to it by Emerald concerning
Emerald or the Thrift Subsidiary. Emerald will not disclose to others, shall not
use in respect of its (or any of its subsidiaries) business operations, and will
hold in confidence any non-public, confidential information disclosed to it
concerning Fifth Third or any of its affiliates. In the event the Merger is not
completed, all non-public financial statements, documents and materials, and all
copies thereof, shall be returned to Emerald or Fifth Third, as the case may be,
and shall not be used by Fifth Third or Emerald, as the case may be, in any way
detrimental to Emerald or Fifth Third.
E. All notices, requests, consents, and demands under this Agreement shall
be in writing and shall be sufficient in all respects if delivered in person or
mailed by certified mail, return receipt requested, with postage prepaid, or by
confirmed air courier, and addressed, if to Emerald to Mr. Thomas P. Perciak,
President and CEO, Emerald Financial Corp., 14092 Pearl Road, P.O. Box 360515,
Strongsville, Ohio 44136-8706, with a copy to Francis X. Grady, Esq., Grady &
Associates, 20800 Center Ridge Road, Suite 116, Rocky River, Ohio 44116-4306;
and, if to Fifth Third, to Mr. George A. Schaefer, Jr., President and Chief
Executive Officer, Fifth Third Bancorp, 38 Fountain Square Plaza, Cincinnati,
Ohio 45263, with a copy to Paul L. Reynolds, Esq., Senior Vice President and
General Counsel, Fifth Third Bank, Legal Division, 38 Fountain Square Plaza,
M.D. 10AT76, Cincinnati, Ohio 45263. Such notices shall be deemed to be received
when delivered in person or when deposited in the mail by certified mail, return
receipt requested with postage prepaid. If sent by confirmed air courier, such
notice shall be deemed to be given upon the earlier to occur of the date upon
which it is actually received by the addressee or the business day upon which
delivery is made at such address as confirmed by the air courier (or if the date
of such confirmed delivery is not a business day, the next succeeding business
day). If mailed, such notice shall be sent by certified mail, postage pre-paid,
return receipt requested.
F. This Agreement, together with the written instruments specifically
referred to herein and such other written agreements delivered by Fifth Third or
Emerald to each other pursuant hereto, constitute the entire agreement between
the parties with regard to the transactions contemplated herein and supersede
any prior agreements, whether oral or in writing. This Agreement may be
hereafter amended only by a written instrument executed by each of the parties
pursuant to Section X hereof.
G. During the period from the date of this Agreement to the Effective Time,
except with the prior approval of Fifth Third, Emerald shall not, and shall not
permit its representatives to, directly or indirectly, subject to the exercise
by the Directors of Emerald of their fiduciary duties, initiate, solicit,
negotiation with, encourage discussions with, provide information to, or agree
to a transaction with, any corporation, partnership, person or other entity or
group concerning any merger of either Emerald or the Thrift Subsidiary or any
sale of substantial assets, sale of shares of capital stock (or securities
convertible or exchangeable into or otherwise evidencing, or any agreement or
instrument evidencing, the right to acquire capital stock) or similar
transaction involving Emerald or the Thrift Subsidiary (any such transaction
being referred to herein as an "Acquisition Transaction"). Emerald promptly
shall communicate to Fifth Third the terms of any proposal which it may receive
in respect of an Acquisition Transaction and any request by or indication of
interest on the part of any third party with respect to initiation of any
Acquisition Transaction or discussions with respect thereto.
H. Fifth Third and Emerald shall each indemnify and hold the other harmless
for any claim, liability or expense (including reasonable attorneys' fees)
arising from a misstatement or omission in the applications submitted to
regulatory agencies for approval of the transaction contemplated by this
Agreement relating to the indemnifying party which is based or made in reliance
upon any representation, warranty, or covenant of such party in this Agreement
or any certification, document, or other information furnished or to be
furnished
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by such party pursuant to this Agreement. From and after Closing Date, this
subsection shall be of no further force or effect.
I. Following the satisfaction of all conditions to closing the Merger,
other than the expiration of any waiting period required by any regulatory
agency after its approval of the Merger is issued before the transaction may be
consummated and conditions which are only capable of being satisfied at closing,
upon the request of Fifth Third and at the sole option of Fifth Third, Emerald
and the Thrift Subsidiary shall execute and deliver to Midwest Payment Systems,
Inc. ("MPS") an agreement to convert all electronic funds transfer ("EFT")
related services to MPS and the Jeanie(R) system. Such Agreement shall provide
that MPS will be the exclusive provider of such services to Emerald and Thrift
Subsidiary for a period of five (5) years from the date such agreements are
executed. Fifth Third agrees that the cost of the conversion of Emerald and
Thrift Subsidiary to EFT provided by MPS and conversion to the Jeanie(R) system
(including, without limitation, the cost of all card reissue, signage and
penalties relating to terminating its current EFT relationships) will be paid by
Fifth Third. Fifth Third further agrees that the costs and fees to Emerald and
the Thrift Subsidiary for the Jeanie(R) service shall not exceed those charged
by the current EFT service provider of Emerald and the Thrift Subsidiary,
subject to any increases in such costs and fees which would otherwise be
permitted under their current EFT processing agreements. In the event this
Agreement is terminated pursuant to Article VIII hereof for any reason except a
material breach or default by Emerald, and if, in such instance, Emerald desires
to convert to another provider of EFT services, Fifth Third shall pay all costs
and expenses associated with such conversion, provided, however, such costs and
expenses are reasonable when compared to costs and expenses ordinarily charged
in the EFT services industry. In no event shall Emerald or the Thrift Subsidiary
be required to take any actions pursuant to this Paragraph I or otherwise under
this Agreement that are contrary to any applicable law, regulation, rule or
order or which constitute a breach of the fiduciary duties of the directors of
Emerald or the Thrift Subsidiary.
J. Fifth Third and Emerald shall agree with each other as to the form and
substance of any press release related to this Agreement or the transactions
contemplated hereby and thereby, and shall consult with each other as to the
form and substance of other public disclosures related thereto, provided,
however, that nothing contained herein shall prohibit either party from making
any disclosure which its counsel deems required by law, and provided, further,
however, that Fifth Third shall not be required to incorporate any comments from
Emerald into such releases or public filings unless determined to be appropriate
by Fifth Third in good faith.
K. Each party hereto shall bear and pay all costs and expenses incurred by
it in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement,
including, without limitation, fees, costs and expenses of its own financial
consultants, investment bankers, accountants and counsel, without reduction or
modification in the number of shares of Fifth Third Common Stock to be issued
hereunder. The expenses of printing and mailing the prospectus/proxy statement
shall be paid by Fifth Third.
L. 1. Between the date hereof and the Closing Date, Emerald shall promptly
advise Fifth Third in writing of any fact that, if existing or known at the date
hereof, would have been required to be set forth or disclosed in or pursuant to
this Agreement or of any fact that, if existing or known at the date hereof,
would have made any of the representations contained herein untrue to any
material extent, and which in each case, would be likely to have a material
adverse effect on Emerald and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole.
2. Between the date hereof and the Closing Date, Fifth Third shall promptly
advise Emerald in writing of any fact that, if existing or known at the date
hereof, would have been required to be set forth or disclosed in or pursuant to
this Agreement or of any fact that, if existing or known at the date hereof,
would have made any of the representations contained herein untrue to any
material extent, and which in each case, would be likely to have a material
adverse effect on Fifth Third and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole.
M. Each party hereto will promptly notify the other party in writing of the
occurrence of any event which will or may result in the failure to satisfy any
material condition precedent set forth in this Agreement. Between the date of
this Agreement and the Closing Date, each party hereto will notify the other of
the satisfaction of such material conditions precedent as they occur.
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VIII. TERMINATION
A. This Agreement may be terminated at any time prior to the Effective Time
by written notice delivered by Fifth Third to Emerald or by Emerald to Fifth
Third in the following instances:
1. By Fifth Third or Emerald, if there has been to the extent
contemplated in Section VI.B.1. and 2. and Section VI.C.1. and 2. herein, a
material misrepresentation, a material breach of warranty or a material
failure to comply with any covenant on the part of the other party with
respect to the representations, warranties, and covenants set forth herein
and such misrepresentations, breach or failure to comply has not been cured
(if capable of cure) within thirty (30) days after receipt of written
notice, provided, the party in default shall have no right to terminate for
its own default.
2. By Fifth Third or Emerald, in each case taken as a whole, if the
business or assets or financial condition of the other party shall have
materially and adversely changed from that in existence at December 31,
1998, other than any such change attributable to or resulting from any
change in law, regulation or generally accepted accounting principles,
changes in interest rates, economic or financial conditions affecting the
banking or thrift industry generally or changes that may occur as a
consequence of actions or inactions that either party hereto is expressly
obligated to take under this Agreement.
3. By Fifth Third or Emerald, if the merger transaction contemplated
herein has not been consummated by October 31, 1999, provided the
terminating party is not in material breach or default of any
representations, warranty or covenant contained herein on the date of such
termination.
4. By the mutual written consent of Fifth Third and Emerald.
5. By Fifth Third if any event occurs which renders impossible of
satisfaction in any material respect one or more of the conditions to the
obligations of Fifth Third to effect the Merger set forth in Sections VI.A.
and B. herein and non-compliance is not waived by Fifth Third.
6. By Emerald if any event occurs which renders impossible of
satisfaction in any material respect one or more of the conditions of the
obligations of Emerald to effect the Merger as set forth in Sections VI.A.
and C. herein and non-compliance is not waived by Emerald.
7. By Emerald if the average of the closing price of Fifth Third
Common Stock for the thirty (30) trading days ending five (5) trading days
before the Effective Time is less than $45 per share.
8. By Fifth Third if the average of the closing price of Fifth Third
Common Stock for the thirty (30) trading days ending five (5) trading days
before the Effective Time is greater than $85 per share.
B. If Emerald shareholders, acting at a meeting held for the purpose of
voting upon this Agreement, fail to approve such agreement in the manner
required by law, then this Agreement shall be deemed to be automatically
terminated.
C. Upon termination as provided in this Section, this Agreement, except for
the provisions of Paragraphs D, H, J and K of Section VII hereof shall be void
and of no further force or effect, and, except as provided in Paragraph H of
Section VII hereof, neither party hereto not in material breach or default of
its representations, warranties and covenants hereunder shall have any liability
of any kind to the other party including but not limited to liability for
expenses incurred by the other party in connection with this transaction;
provided that no such termination shall relieve a breaching party from liability
for any uncured willful breach of a covenant, undertaking, representation or
warranty giving rise to such termination.
IX. CLOSING AND EFFECTIVE TIME
The consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall
take place at a closing to be held at the offices of Fifth Third in Cincinnati,
Ohio on a Friday which is as soon as is reasonably possible following the date
that all of the conditions precedent to closing set forth in Section VI hereof,
including the waiting period required by any banking or bank holding company
regulatory agency after its approval of the Merger is issued before the
transaction may be consummated, have been fully met or effectively waived (the
"Closing Date"). Pursuant to the filing of articles or a certificate of merger
(which shall be acceptable to
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Emerald and Fifth Third) with the Secretary of the State of Ohio in accordance
with law and this Agreement, the Merger provided for herein shall become
effective at the close of business on said day (the "Effective Time"). By mutual
agreement of the parties, the closing may be held at any other time or place or
on any other date and the effectiveness of the Merger (and the Effective Time)
may be changed by such mutual agreement. None of the representations, warranties
and agreements in this Agreement or in any instrument delivered pursuant to this
Agreement shall survive the Effective Time, except for agreements of the parties
which by their terms are intended to be performed after the Effective Time.
X. AMENDMENT
This Agreement may be amended, modified or supplemented by the written
agreement of Emerald and Fifth Third upon the authorization of each company's
respective Board of Directors at any time before or after approval of the Merger
and this Agreement by the shareholders of Emerald, but after any such approval
by the shareholders of Emerald no amendment shall be made (without further
shareholder approval) which changes in any manner adverse to such shareholders
the consideration to be provided to such shareholders pursuant to this
Agreement.
XI. GENERAL
This Agreement was made in the State of Ohio and shall be interpreted under
the laws of the United States and the State of Ohio. This Agreement and all of
the provisions hereof shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the
parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns but except
as specifically set forth herein none of the provisions hereof shall be binding
upon and inure to the benefit of any other person, firm or corporation
whomsoever. Neither this Agreement nor any of the rights, interests or
obligations hereunder shall be assigned or transferred by operation of law or
otherwise by any party hereto without the prior written consent of the other
party hereto; provided, however, that the merger or consolidation of Fifth Third
shall not be deemed an assignment hereunder if Fifth Third is the surviving
corporation in such merger or consolidation and its Common Stock shall
thereafter continue to be publicly traded and issuable to Emerald shareholders
pursuant to the terms of this Agreement.
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<PAGE> 107
XII. COUNTERPARTS
This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which
shall be deemed an original for all purposes but such counterparts taken
together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Affiliation
Agreement as of the date hereinabove set forth.
FIFTH THIRD BANCORP
(SEAL) By: /s/ P. MICHAEL BRUMM
-------------------------------
P. Michael Brumm
Executive Vice President
Attest: /s/ PAUL L. REYNOLDS
-------------------------------
Paul L. Reynolds
Assistant Secretary
EMERALD FINANCIAL CORP.
(SEAL) By: /s/ THOMAS P. PERCIAK
-------------------------------
Thomas P. Perciak
President
Attest: /s/ PAULA M. DEWAY
-------------------------------
Paula M. Deway
Secretary
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ANNEX B
McDonald Investments Inc.
800 Superior Avenue
Cleveland, OH 44114-2603
, 1999
Board of Directors
Emerald Financial Corp.
14092 Pearl Road
Strongsville, OH 44136
Attention: Mr. Thomas P. Perciak
President & Chief Executive Officer
Madame and Gentlemen:
You have requested our opinion with respect to the fairness, from a
financial point of view, as of the date hereof, to the holders of the common
stock, without par value per share ("Emerald Common"), of Emerald Financial
Corp. ("Emerald"), of the Exchange Ratio, as set forth in Section I.C.1. of the
Affiliation Agreement dated as of February 27, 1999 (the "Agreement"), between
Emerald and Fifth Third Bancorp ("Fifth Third").
The Agreement provides for the merger (the "Merger") of Emerald with and
into Fifth Third, pursuant to which, among other things, at the Effective Time
(as defined in the Agreement), each outstanding share of Emerald Common, other
than shares held in the treasury of Emerald, will be exchanged for the right to
receive 0.3000 shares of the common stock, without par value, of Fifth Third
("Fifth Third Common"), as set forth in Section I.C.1. of the Agreement. The
terms and conditions of the Merger are more fully set forth in the Agreement.
McDonald Investments Inc., as part of its investment banking business, is
customarily engaged in the valuation of businesses and their securities in
connection with mergers and acquisitions, negotiated underwritings, secondary
distributions of listed and unlisted securities, private placements and
valuations for estate, corporate and other purposes.
We have acted as Emerald's financial advisor in connection with, and have
participated in certain negotiations leading to, the Agreement. In connection
with rendering our opinion set forth herein, we have among other things:
(i) Reviewed Emerald's Annual Reports to Shareholders and Annual Reports
on Form 10-K for each of the years ended December 31, 1997, December
31, 1996 and December 31, 1995, including the audited financial
statements contained therein, and Emerald's Quarterly Reports on Form
10-Q for each of the first three quarters of 1998, and Emerald's
preliminary unaudited financial information for the fourth quarter
and twelve months ended December 31, 1998;
(ii) Reviewed Fifth Third's Annual Reports to Shareholders and Annual
Reports on Form 10-K for each of the years ended December 31, 1998,
December 31, 1997 and December 31, 1996, including the audited
financial statements contained therein;
(iii) Reviewed certain other public and non-public information, primarily
financial in nature, relating to the respective businesses,
earnings, assets and prospects of Emerald and Fifth Third provided
to us or publicly available;
(iv) Participated in meetings and telephone conferences with members of
senior management of Emerald and Fifth Third concerning the financial
condition, business, assets, financial forecasts and prospects of the
respective companies, as well as other matters we believed relevant
to our inquiry;
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<PAGE> 109
(v) Reviewed certain stock market information for Emerald Common and
Fifth Third Common, and compared it with similar information for
certain companies, the securities of which are publicly traded;
(vi) Compared the results of operations and financial condition of
Emerald and Fifth Third with that of certain companies, which we
deemed to be relevant for purposes of this opinion;
(vii) Reviewed the financial terms, to the extent publicly available, of
certain acquisition transactions, which we deemed to be relevant for
purposes of this opinion;
(viii) Reviewed the Agreement dated February 27, 1999 and certain related
documents; and
(ix) Performed such other reviews and analyses as we have deemed
appropriate.
In our review and analysis and in arriving at our opinion, we have assumed
and relied upon the accuracy and completeness of all of the financial and other
information reviewed by us and have relied upon the accuracy and completeness of
the representations, warranties and covenants of Emerald and Fifth Third
contained in the Agreement. We have not been engaged to undertake, and have not
assumed any responsibility for, nor have we conducted an independent
investigation or verification of such matters. We have not been engaged to and
we have not conducted a physical inspection of any of the assets, properties or
facilities of either Emerald or Fifth Third, nor have we made or obtained or
been furnished with any independent valuation or appraisal of any such assets,
properties or facilities or any of the liabilities of either Emerald or Fifth
Third. With respect to financial forecasts used in our analysis, we have assumed
that such forecasts have been reasonably prepared by management of Emerald and
Fifth Third, as the case may be, on a basis reflecting the best currently
available estimates and judgments of the management of Emerald and Fifth Third,
as to the future performance of Emerald, Fifth Third, and Emerald and Fifth
Third combined, as the case may be. We have not been engaged to and we have not
assumed any responsibility for, nor have we conducted any independent
investigation or verification of such matters, and we express no view as to such
financial forecasts or the assumptions on which they are based. We have also
assumed that all of the conditions to the consummation of the Merger, as set
forth in the Agreement, including the tax-free treatment of the Merger to the
holders of Emerald Common, would be satisfied and that the Merger would be
consummated on a timely basis in the manner contemplated by the Agreement.
We will receive a fee for our services as financial advisor to Emerald, a
substantial portion of which is contingent upon closing of the Merger. We will
also receive a fee for our services in rendering this opinion. In the past, we
have also provided certain other investment banking services for Emerald and
have received compensation for such services.
In the ordinary course of business, we may actively trade securities of
Emerald and Fifth Third for our own account and for the accounts of customers
and accordingly, we may at any time hold a long or short position in such
securities.
This opinion is based on economic and market conditions and other
circumstances existing on, and information made available as of, the date
hereof. In addition, our opinion is, in any event, limited to the fairness, as
of the date hereof, from a financial point of view, of the Exchange Ratio, to
the holders of Emerald Common, and does not address the underlying business
decision by Emerald's Board of Directors to effect the Merger, does not compare
or discuss the relative merits of any competing proposal or any other terms of
the Merger, and does not constitute a recommendation to any Emerald shareholder
as to how such shareholder should vote with respect to the Merger. This opinion
does not represent an opinion as to what the value of Emerald Common or Fifth
Third Common may be at the Effective Time of the Merger or as to the prospects
of Emerald's business or Fifth Third's business.
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This opinion is directed to the Board of Directors of Emerald and may not
be reproduced, summarized, described or referred to or given to any other person
without our prior written consent. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this opinion
may be included in the proxy statement to be mailed to the holders of Emerald
Common in connection with the Merger, provided that this opinion will be
reproduced in such proxy statement in full, and any description of or reference
to us or our actions, or any summary of the opinion in such proxy statement,
will be in a form reasonably acceptable to us and our counsel.
Based upon and subject to the foregoing, it is our opinion that, as of the
date hereof, the Exchange Ratio is fair to the holders of Emerald Common from a
financial point of view.
Very truly yours,
McDonald Investments Inc.
B-3
<PAGE> 111
ANNEX C
OHIO REVISED CODE
TITLE XVII CORPORATIONS -- PARTNERSHIPS
CHAPTER 1701: GENERAL CORPORATION LAW
SEC. 1701.85 QUALIFICATIONS OF AND PROCEDURES FOR DISSENTING SHAREHOLDERS.
(A) (1) A shareholder of a domestic corporation is entitled to relief as a
dissenting shareholder in respect of the proposals described in sections
1701.74, 1701.76, and 1701.84 of the Revised Code, only in compliance with this
section.
(2) If the proposal must be submitted to the shareholders of the
corporation involved, the dissenting shareholder shall be a record holder of the
shares of the corporation as to which he seeks relief as of the date fixed for
the determination of shareholders entitled to notice of a meeting of the
shareholders at which the proposal is to be submitted, and such shares shall not
have been voted in favor of the proposal. Not later than ten days after the date
on which the vote on the proposal was taken at the meeting of the shareholders,
the dissenting shareholder shall deliver to the corporation a written demand for
payment to him of the fair cash value of the shares as to which he seeks relief,
which demand shall state his address, the number and class of such shares, and
the amount claimed by him as the fair cash value of the shares.
(3) The dissenting shareholder entitled to relief under division (C) of
section 1701.84 of the Revised Code in the case of a merger pursuant to section
1701.80 of the Revised Code and a dissenting shareholder entitled to relief
under division (E) of section 1701.84 of the Revised Code in the case of a
merger pursuant to section 1701.801 of the Revised Code shall be a record holder
of the shares of the corporation as to which he seeks relief as of the date on
which the agreement of merger was adopted by the directors of that corporation.
Within twenty days after he has been sent the notice provided in section 1701.80
or 1701.801 of the Revised Code, the dissenting shareholder shall deliver to the
corporation a written demand for payment with the same information as that
provided for in division (A)(2) of this section.
(4) In the case of a merger or consolidation, a demand served on the
constituent corporation involved constitutes service on the surviving or the new
entity, whether the demand is served before, on, or after the effective date of
the merger or consolidation.
(5) If the corporation sends to the dissenting shareholder, at the address
specified in his demand, a request for the certificates representing the shares
as to which he seeks relief, the dissenting shareholder, within fifteen days
from the date of the sending of such request, shall deliver to the corporation
the certificates requested so that the corporation may forthwith endorse on them
a legend to the effect that demand for the fair cash value of such shares has
been made. The corporation promptly shall return such endorsed certificates to
the dissenting shareholder. A dissenting shareholder's failure to deliver such
certificates terminates his rights as a dissenting shareholder, at the option of
the corporation, exercised by written notice sent to the dissenting shareholder
within twenty days after the lapse of the fifteen-day period, unless a court for
good cause shown otherwise directs. If shares represented by a certificate on
which such a legend has been endorsed are transferred, each new certificate
issued for them shall bear a similar legend, together with the name of the
original dissenting holder of such shares. Upon receiving a demand for payment
from a dissenting shareholder who is the record holder of uncertificated
securities, the corporation shall make an appropriate notation of the demand for
payment in its shareholder records. If uncertificated shares for which payment
has been demanded are to be transferred, any new certificate issued for the
shares shall bear the legend required for certificated securities as provided in
this paragraph. A transferee of the shares so endorsed, or of uncertificated
securities where such notation has been made, acquires only such rights in the
corporation as the original dissenting holder of such shares had immediately
after the service of a demand for payment of the fair cash value of the shares.
A request under this paragraph by the corporation is not an admission by the
corporation that the shareholder is entitled to relief under this section.
(B) Unless the corporation and the dissenting shareholder have come to an
agreement on the fair cash value per share of the shares as to which the
dissenting shareholder seeks relief, the dissenting shareholder or
C-1
<PAGE> 112
the corporation, which in case of a merger or consolidation may be the surviving
or new entity, within three months after the service of the demand by the
dissenting shareholder, may file a complaint in the court of common pleas of the
county in which the principal office of the corporation that issued the shares
is located or was located when the proposal was adopted by the shareholders of
the corporation, or, if the proposal was not required to be submitted to the
shareholders, was approved by the directors. Other dissenting shareholders,
within that three-month period, may join as plaintiffs or may be joined as
defendants in any such proceeding, and any two or more such proceedings may be
consolidated. The complaint shall contain a brief statement of the facts,
including the vote and the facts entitling the dissenting shareholder to the
relief demanded. No answer to such a complaint is required. Upon the filing of
such a complaint, the court, on motion of the petitioner, shall enter an order
fixing a date for a hearing on the complaint and requiring that a copy of the
complaint and a notice of the filing and of the date for hearing be given to the
respondent or defendant in the manner in which summons is required to be served
or substituted service is required to be made in other cases. On the day fixed
for the hearing on the complaint or any adjournment of it, the court shall
determine from the complaint and from such evidence as is submitted by either
party whether the dissenting shareholder is entitled to be paid the fair cash
value of any shares and, if so, the number and class of such shares. If the
court finds that the dissenting shareholder is so entitled, the court may
appoint one or more persons as appraisers to receive evidence and to recommend a
decision on the amount of the fair cash value. The appraisers have such power
and authority as is specified in the order of their appointment. The court
thereupon shall make a finding as to the fair cash value of a share and shall
render judgment against the corporation for the payment of it, with interest at
such rate and from such date as the court considers equitable. The costs of the
proceeding, including reasonable compensation to the appraisers to be fixed by
the court, shall be assessed or apportioned as the court considers equitable.
The proceeding is a special proceeding and final orders in it may be vacated,
modified, or reversed on appeal pursuant to the Rules of Appellate Procedure
and, to the extent not in conflict with those rules, Chapter 2505. of the
Revised Code. If, during the pendency of any proceeding instituted under this
section, a suit or proceeding is or has been instituted to enjoin or otherwise
to prevent the carrying out of the action as to which the shareholder has
dissented, the proceeding instituted under this section shall be stayed until
the final determination of the other suit or proceeding. Unless any provision in
division (D) of this section is applicable, the fair cash value of the shares
that is agreed upon by the parties or fixed under this section shall be paid
within thirty days after the date of final determination of such value under
this division, the effective date of the amendment to the articles, or the
consummation of the other action involved, whichever occurs last. Upon the
occurrence of the last such event, payment shall be made immediately to a holder
of uncertificated securities entitled to such payment. In the case of holders of
shares represented by certificates, payment shall be made only upon and
simultaneously with the surrender to the corporation of the certificates
representing the shares for which the payment is made.
(C) If the proposal was required to be submitted to the shareholders of the
corporation, fair cash value as to those shareholders shall be determined as of
the day prior to the day on which the vote by the shareholders was taken and, in
the case of a merger pursuant to section 1701.80 or 1701.801 of the Revised
Code, fair cash value as to shareholders of a constituent subsidiary corporation
shall be determined as of the day before the adoption of the agreement of merger
by the directors of the particular subsidiary corporation. The fair cash value
of a share for the purposes of this section is the amount that a willing seller
who is under no compulsion to sell would be willing to accept and that a willing
buyer who is under no compulsion to purchase would be willing to pay, but in no
event shall the fair cash value of a share exceed the amount specified in the
demand of the particular shareholder. In computing such fair cash value, any
appreciation or depreciation in market value resulting from the proposal
submitted to the directors or to the shareholders shall be excluded.
(D) (1) The right and obligation of a dissenting shareholder to receive
such fair cash value and to sell such shares as to which he seeks relief, and
the right and obligation of the corporation to purchase such shares and to pay
the fair cash value of them terminates if any of the following applies:
(a) The dissenting shareholder has not complied with this section,
unless the corporation by its directors waives such failure;
C-2
<PAGE> 113
(b) The corporation abandons the action involved or is finally
enjoined or prevented from carrying it out, or the shareholders rescind
their adoption of the action involved;
(c) The dissenting shareholder withdraws his demand, with the consent
of the corporation by its directors;
(d) The corporation and the dissenting shareholder have not come to an
agreement as to the fair cash value per share, and neither the shareholder
nor the corporation has filed or joined in a complaint under division (B)
of this section within the period provided in that division.
(2) For purposes of division (D)(1) of this section, if the merger or
consolidation has become effective and the surviving or new entity is not a
corporation, action required to be taken by the directors of the
corporation shall be taken by the general partners of a surviving or new
partnership or the comparable representatives of any other surviving or new
entity.
(E) From the time of the dissenting shareholder's giving of the demand
until either the termination of the rights and obligations arising from it or
the purchase of the shares by the corporation, all other rights accruing from
such shares, including voting and dividend or distribution rights, are
suspended. If during the suspension, any dividend or distribution is paid in
money upon shares of such class or any dividend, distribution, or interest is
paid in money upon any securities issued in extinguishment of or in substitution
for such shares, an amount equal to the dividend, distribution, or interest
which, except for the suspension, would have been payable upon such shares or
securities, shall be paid to the holder of record as a credit upon the fair cash
value of the shares. If the right to receive fair cash value is terminated other
than by the purchase of the shares by the corporation, all rights of the holder
shall be restored and all distributions which, except for the suspension, would
have been made shall be made to the holder of record of the shares at the time
of termination.
C-3
<PAGE> 114
ANNEX D
ACQUIRING PERSON STATEMENT
1. The identity of the "Acquiring Person" is: Fifth Third Bancorp, a
corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Ohio and
registered as a bank holding company under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956,
as amended (the "Acquiring Person").
2. This Acquiring Person Statement is being given by the Acquiring Person
pursuant to Section 1701.831 of the Ohio Revised Code.
3. The number of common shares, no par value per share, of Emerald
Financial Corp., a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the
State of Ohio and a unitary savings and loan holding company under Section 10 of
the Home Owners Loan Act, as amended, owned, directly or indirectly, by the
Acquiring Person on the date of this statement is: None.
4. The range of voting power, described in division (Z)(1) of Section
1701.01 of the Ohio Revised Code, under which the proposed control share
acquisition will, if and on the date it is consummated, fall is: (c) a majority
or more of such voting power.
5. The proposed control share acquisition is to be consummated on the terms
contained in the affiliation agreement dated as of February 27, 1999 between the
Acquiring Person and Emerald Financial Corp. (the "Affiliation Agreement"), a
copy of which is attached hereto as Annex A.
6. The acquiring Person hereby represents that the proposed control share
acquisition, if consummated in accordance with the terms of the Affiliation
Agreement, will not be contrary to law and hereby further represents that the
Acquiring Person has the financial capacity to make the proposed control share
acquisition.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused this Acquiring Person
Statement to be executed and delivered to Emerald Financial Corp. this 19th day
of April, 1999.
FIFTH THIRD BANCORP
By: /s/ PAUL L. REYNOLDS
----------------------------------
Name: Paul L. Reynolds
Title: Assistant Secretary
D-1
<PAGE> 115
ANNEX E
SHAREHOLDER SUPPORT AGREEMENT
FIFTH THIRD BANCORP
38 FOUNTAIN SQUARE PLAZA
CINCINNATI, OHIO 45263
February 27, 1999
Mrs. Joan M. Dzurilla
c/o Emerald Financial Corp.
14902 Pearl Road
Strongsville, Ohio 44136
Dear Mrs. Dzurilla:
As you know, Fifth Third Bancorp, an Ohio corporation ("Fifth Third"), and
Emerald Financial Corp., an Ohio corporation ("Emerald."), are concurrently
entering into an Affiliation Agreement (the "Affiliation Agreement") pursuant to
which Emerald, will merge (the "Merger") with and into Fifth Third with Fifth
Third as the surviving corporation in the Merger.
As a shareholder, you believe it is in the best interests of Emerald and
all Emerald shareholders for the Merger to be consummated on the terms set forth
in the Affiliation Agreement. As a condition and inducement to Fifth Third's
willingness to enter in the Affiliation Agreement:
1. You represent that you have sole voting and dispositive power over
2,477,340 shares of common stock, no par value per share, of Emerald. (the
"Emerald Common Stock"), including 176,400 shares which are owned by the
Joan M. Dzurilla Charitable Remainder Trust of which you are the Trustee.
2. You agree that any additional shares of Emerald Common Stock
acquired by you shall be subject to the provisions of this Agreement.
3. At such time as Emerald conducts a meeting of or otherwise seeks a
vote of its shareholders for the purpose of approving and adopting the
Affiliation Agreement and the Merger (the "Emerald Meeting"), you agree to
vote all Emerald Common Stock then held or controlled by you in favor of
the Affiliation Agreement and the Merger.
4. You will use all reasonable efforts to cooperate with Fifth Third
in connection with the Merger, promptly take such actions as are necessary
or appropriate to consummate the Merger, and provide any information
reasonably requested by Fifth Third for any registration of the shares of
Fifth Third issued in the Merger, any regulatory application or filing made
or approval sought for the transactions contemplated by the Affiliation
Agreement.
5. You hereby waive all rights available to you under the General
Corporation Law as contained in the Ohio Revised Code to demand appraisal
with respect to your Emerald Common Stock.
6. From the date hereof until the Effective Time or earlier
termination of this Agreement as provided in Paragraph 10 (the "Voting
Term") you agree not to sell your Emerald Common Stock or otherwise
transfer your voting rights with respect thereto (exclusive of your right
to designate a proxy to vote your shares).
7. You agree that during the Voting Term, you will not, and you will
not permit affiliates (as that term is defined in Rule 405 of the
Securities Act of 1933 (the "Securities Act")), to:
(i) acquire, offer to acquire or agree to acquire (directly or
indirectly, beneficially or of record, by purchase or otherwise, alone
or in concert with others) a majority of Emerald outstanding common
stock;
E-1
<PAGE> 116
(ii) undertake any merger, consolidation, asset acquisition or
disposition or tender offer or other takeover action involving Emerald
or any of its affiliates or any of its assets, except as expressly
permitted by the Affiliation Agreement;
(iii) other than as a director of Emerald make, or in any way
participate, directly or indirectly, in any "solicitation" of "proxies"
(as a such terms are used in the proxy rules of the Securities and
Exchange Commission) or seek to advise or influence any person or entity
with respect to the voting or acquisition of any securities of Emerald;
(iv) other than as a director of Emerald, directly or indirectly,
whether through any employees, agents, affiliates or otherwise,
encourage, initiate, solicit or participate in, any inquiries or
proposals or engage in any discussions or negotiations, concerning any
of the foregoing; or
(v) agree to do any of the foregoing.
8. The voting obligations set forth in this Agreement only extend to
the matters set forth herein and do not extend to the voting on other
matters and questions on which you have the right to vote under the
articles of incorporation of Emerald, its regulations, or the Ohio Revised
Code.
9. You are an "accredited investor" as such term is defined in Rule
501 under the Securities Act. You are purchasing the shares of Fifth Third
Common Stock for investment for your own account and not with any present
view toward resale or other distribution thereof. You have such knowledge
and experience in factual and business matters that you are capable of
evaluating the merits and risks of the investment in the shares of Fifth
Third Common Stock and are able to bear the economic risk of investment in
the shares of Fifth Third Common Stock. You acknowledge that Fifth Third
has made available to you prior to the date hereof and prior to the
purchase of any of the shares of Fifth Third Common Stock, the opportunity
to ask questions of, and receive answers from, the representatives of Fifth
Third concerning Fifth Third and the terms and conditions of the Merger.
10. This Agreement shall terminate upon the termination of the
Affiliation Agreement in accordance with its terms.
11. This Agreement shall not affect your obligations, to the extent
you serve in such capacity, as a director of Emerald.
12. This Agreement shall bind and benefit the successors, assigns,
executors, trustees and heirs of the parties hereto. You agree that damages
are inadequate for breach by you of any term of this Agreement and that
Fifth Third shall be entitled to preliminary and permanent injunctive
relief and specific performance to enforce this Agreement. This Agreement
shall be governed by and construed under the laws of the State of Ohio
(without giving effect to the choice of law provisions thereof). Any term
hereof which is invalid or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to
such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such invalidity or
unenforceability without affecting the remaining terms or their validity or
enforceability in any other jurisdiction. If any provision of this
Agreement is so broad as to be unenforceable, such provision shall be
interpreted to be only so broad as is enforceable.
This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which
shall be deemed an original and all of such counterparts together shall
constitute one and the same instrument.
E-2
<PAGE> 117
Please confirm that the foregoing correctly states the understanding
between us by signing and returning to Fifth Third a counterpart hereof.
Very truly yours,
FIFTH THIRD BANCORP
By: /s/ P. MICHAEL BRUMM
--------------------------
Accepted and agreed as of
the date first above written:
Joan M. Dzurilla
/s/ JOAN M. DZURILLA
- -----------------------------
(signature)
E-3
<PAGE> 118
ANNEX F
SUMMARY 1998 ANNUAL REPORT OF
EMERALD FINANCIAL CORP.
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
Emerald Financial Corp. (Emerald or Company), a unitary thrift holding
company, became The Strongsville Savings Bank's (Strongsville Savings or Bank)
holding company in a tax-free exchange of shares of the Bank for shares of
Emerald on March 6, 1997. As a result, Emerald owns and operates the Bank.
Strongsville Savings takes great pride in its history of providing friendly
and professional service to its customers. Our commitment to providing customers
with the financial products and services they need and want has brought success
to Strongsville Savings and to our customers. We help our customers achieve
their financial goals by providing a variety of products. The Bank offers a
traditional product line which includes NOW accounts, IRA accounts and a variety
of term deposit, passbook and other deposit vehicles. Many customers have
enjoyed the American dream of home-ownership with mortgage loan financing from
Strongsville Savings. We offer home equity lines of credit, loans for
residential construction and development, commercial property and many other
purposes.
Emerald's franchise is strong with a network of 15 Community Financial
Centers (Offices) throughout Southwestern Cuyahoga County, Lorain County and
Medina County. Our strategy is to position our full service Offices in
communities poised for growth. Our customer service approach has proved
successful as evidenced by our strong growth at each Office. We expect the
tradition to continue through our close attention to the marketplace, to our
customers and to their financial needs.
F-1
<PAGE> 119
FINANCIAL REVIEW
The Company's total assets were $668.5 million at December 31, 1998,
representing an increase of $64.5 million or 10.7% over the previous year total
assets of $604.0 million. The Company's 13.4% loan growth was funded by
increases in deposits and by advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) of
Cincinnati. Emerald's deposits increased 7.4% during 1998 from $520.7 million to
$559.2 million.
The composition of Emerald's assets and liabilities at year end 1998 and
1997 are displayed below.
[ASSETS AND LIABILITIES CHART]
Shareholders' equity increased $6.3 million, or 12.9% to $54.8 million
during 1998 primarily through the retention of net income of $7.8 million offset
by dividends of $2.0 million.
Emerald's dividend payments have increased over the past five years as
noted below. The Bank paid quarterly dividends totaling 19.5c per share for
1998, an increase of 62.5% over the 12.0c per share paid in 1997. The Company's
stock split two-for-one on May 15, 1998. All share and per-share information has
been adjusted to reflect the effect of the stock split.
LOGO
F-2
<PAGE> 120
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Emerald strives to produce strong, stable core earnings from operations.
Core earnings consist of net interest income and recurring non-interest income,
reduced by recurring non-interest expenses. The Company's revenue enhancement
and cost reduction measures have contributed to the increase in core earnings
over the three years ended December 31, 1998, as evidenced in the chart below.
Recurring noninterest income excludes gains (losses) on sales of loans and other
assets for all periods presented.
Core earnings before federal income tax for the three years ended December
31, 1998, are noted below. Noninterest expense for 1996 is before the effect of
the one-time SAIF assessment of $2.5 million on September 30, 1996.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DECEMBER 31
-----------------------
1998 1997 1996
----- ----- -----
(IN MILLIONS)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Net interest income......................................... $17.4 $16.7 $15.4
Less provision for loan losses.............................. 0.7 0.2 0.3
----- ----- -----
16.7 16.5 15.1
Noninterest income (recurring).............................. 2.8 1.9 1.3
Noninterest expense (recurring)............................. 9.8 9.5 9.5
----- ----- -----
Core earnings............................................... $ 9.7 $ 8.9 $ 6.9
===== ===== =====
</TABLE>
NET INTEREST INCOME
Net interest income is the chief component of net income. Net interest
income is the difference between interest income on interest-earning assets and
interest expense on interest-bearing liabilities. Net interest income is
determined by changes in the composition of interest-earning assets and
interest-bearing liabilities and fluctuations in the levels of interest rates.
Interest rates in general declined slightly throughout the three years
ended December 31, 1998. Yields on interest-earning assets decreased six basis
points during 1998 while costs on interest-bearing liabilities decreased fifteen
basis points during the year.
INTEREST INCOME
Emerald's primary source of income is interest income from its loan
portfolio and other interest-earning assets. The Company's commitment to
providing residential home loans is evident by its $400.3 million portfolio of
permanent and construction single-family residential mortgage loans. The
Company's interest-earning assets include the residential mortgage loan
portfolio, the residential acquisition and development loan portfolio, the other
loan portfolios and the investment securities and mortgage-backed securities
portfolios.
Emerald's interest income was $46.1 million in 1998, $44.9 million in 1997
and $39.9 million in 1996, representing annual increases of 2.53% and 12.72% for
the years ended December 31, 1998 and 1997, respectively. These increases are
attributable to a combination of the effects of increases in volume and changes
in rate that are set forth in Table 2. Average interest-earning assets were
$600.2 million with an average yield of 7.68% in 1998, $580.2 million with an
average yield of 7.74% in 1997 and $512.2 million with an average yield of 7.78%
in 1996. See Table 1 for more details regarding average interest-earning assets
and their yields.
INTEREST EXPENSE
Emerald's primary source of funding for interest-earning assets is retail
deposits. Management believes that by providing professional service, the Bank
has achieved deposit growth during a period characterized by disintermediation.
As financial institutions often struggle to retain retail deposits, the Bank has
been able to increase deposits by 7.4% in 1998 and 5.5% in 1997. Management has
dedicated resources to focus employees to providing excellent customer service,
to understanding the Bank's products and to cross sell the
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<PAGE> 121
Banks products. Management believes the Bank has a stable deposit base because
the base consists of retail deposits from the people in the communities the Bank
serves.
The Bank's interest expense was $28.7 million in 1998, $28.3 million in
1997 and $24.5 million in 1996. The change in interest expense was primarily a
result of the growth in deposits. The average cost of interest-bearing
liabilities decreased fifteen basis points to 5.06% during 1998 from 5.21% in
1997. See tables 1 and 2 for more information regarding average balances,
average rates and changes in interest expense attributable to changes in volume
and changes in rates.
Table 1 presents information regarding the average balances of
interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities, the total dollar
amount of interest income from interest-earning assets and their average yields
and the total dollar amount of interest expense on interest-bearing liabilities
and their average rates. The table also presents net interest income, interest
rate spread, net interest margin and the ratio of average interest-earning
assets to average interest-bearing liabilities. Interest rate spread represents
the difference between the weighted average yield on interest-earning assets and
the weighted average cost of interest-bearing liabilities, and net interest
margin represents net interest income as a percent of average interest-earning
assets. Average balance calculations were based on daily and monthly balances.
Assets available for sale are included in the major asset category at amortized
cost.
TABLE I
AVERAGE BALANCE TABLE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1998 1997 1996
---------------------------- ---------------------------- ----------------------------
AVERAGE YIELD/ AVERAGE YIELD/ AVERAGE YIELD/
BALANCE INTEREST RATE BALANCE INTEREST RATE BALANCE INTEREST RATE
-------- -------- ------ -------- -------- ------ -------- -------- ------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
INTEREST-EARNING ASSETS
Loans, net(1)................ $488,438 $39,077 8.00% $451,820 $36,892 8.17% $394,329 $32,442 8.23%
Investment securities........ 41,553 2,690 6.47 56,712 3,441 6.07 63,189 3,836 6.07
Mortgage-backed securities... 52,117 3,419 6.56 56,708 3,882 6.85 44,792 3,110 6.94
Other interest-earning
assets..................... 18,094 913 5.05 14,991 713 4.76 9,937 470 4.73
-------- ------- ------ -------- ------- ------ -------- ------- ------
Total........................ 600,202 46,099 7.68 580,231 44,928 7.74 512,247 39,858 7.78
Noninterest-earning assets... 26,982 14,734 12,808
-------- -------- --------
TOTAL ASSETS............ $627,184 $594,965 $525,055
======== ======== ========
INTEREST-BEARING LIABILITIES
Deposits(2).................. $533,380 26,779 5.02 $513,950 26,575 5.17 $457,974 23,516 5.13
Advances from FHLB........... 34,079 1,957 5.74 28,095 1,680 5.98 16,303 978 6.00
-------- ------- ------ -------- ------- ------ -------- ------- ------
Total........................ 567,459 28,736 5.06 542,045 28,255 5.21 474,277 24,494 5.16
Noninterest-bearing
liabilities................ 7,427 7,256 8,434
Shareholders' equity......... 52,298 45,664 42,344
-------- -------- --------
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND
SHAREHOLDERS'
EQUITY................ $627,184 $594,965 $525,055
======== ======== ========
Net interest income.......... $17,363 $16,673 $15,364
Interest-rate spread......... 2.62 2.53 2.62
Net interest margin.......... 2.89 2.87 3.00
Ratio of average
interest-earning assets to
average interest-bearing
liabilities................ 105.77% 107.04% 108.01%
</TABLE>
- ---------------
(1) Average balances include non-accrual loans. Interest income includes
deferred loan fee amortization of $1,372,000, $1,613,000 and $1,650,000 for
the years ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively.
(2) Deposits include noninterest-bearing demand accounts which were $19,581,000,
$11,739,000 and $11,535,000 at December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996,
respectively.
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<PAGE> 122
Table 2 presents certain information regarding changes in interest income
and interest expense of the Company for the years ended December 31, 1998, 1997
and 1996. The table shows the changes in interest income and expense by major
category attributable to changes in the average balance (volume) and changes in
interest rates. The net change not attributable to either rate or volume is
allocated on a pro-rata basis to the change in rate or volume. Assets available
for sale are included in the major asset category at amortized cost.
TABLE II
RATE/VOLUME TABLE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1998 COMPARED TO 1997 1997 COMPARED TO 1996
INCREASE (DECREASE) INCREASE (DECREASE)
DUE TO CHANGES IN DUE TO CHANGES IN
----------------------- -----------------------
VOLUME RATE TOTAL VOLUME RATE TOTAL
------ ----- ------ ------ ----- ------
(IN THOUSANDS)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
INTEREST INCOME ON INTEREST-EARNING ASSETS
Loans, net...................................... $2,940 $(755) $2,185 $4,684 $(234) $4,450
Investment securities........................... (996) 213 (783) (363) -- (363)
Mortgage-backed securities...................... (304) (159) (463) 812 (40) 772
Other........................................... 155 45 200 240 3 243
------ ----- ------ ------ ----- ------
Total................................. 1,795 (656) 1,139 5,373 (271) 5,102
====== ===== ====== ====== ===== ======
INTEREST EXPENSE ON INTEREST-BEARING LIABILITIES
Deposits........................................ 875 (671) 204 2,876 183 3,059
Advances from FHLB.............................. 342 (65) 277 705 (3) 702
------ ----- ------ ------ ----- ------
Total................................. 1,217 (736) 481 3,581 180 3,761
------ ----- ------ ------ ----- ------
CHANGE IN NET INTEREST INCOME................... $ 578 $ 80 $ 658 $1,792 $(451) $1,341
====== ===== ====== ====== ===== ======
</TABLE>
PROVISIONS FOR LOAN LOSSES
The provision for loan losses represents a charge to income for possible
credit losses on loans. The Bank maintains the level of the allowance for loan
losses at an amount adequate to absorb potential losses inherent in the loan
portfolio. A quarterly review of the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses
considers growth in the loan portfolio, potential losses identified by the
portfolio review process, and the Company's historical loan loss experience. In
addition, management considers economic conditions, including the overall level
of interest rates and the general trend of the national economy, local economy
and housing markets.
The provision for loan losses was $710,000 in 1998, $215,000 in 1997 and
$305,000 in 1996. The provisions for the three years ended December 31, 1998,
reflect generally stable economic conditions in Emerald's market area, as well
as the high credit quality of the Company's loan portfolio. The allowance for
loan losses throughout 1998, 1997 and 1996 was commensurate with management's
estimate of the credit risk in the loan portfolio.
NONINTEREST INCOME
Noninterest income is composed mainly of fees the Bank earns from services
performed for customers and for servicing loans sold to the secondary market.
Loan servicing and other loan related fees were $859,000 in 1998, $738,000 in
1997 and $623,000 in 1996.
Gains on the sale of loans to the secondary market and gains on sales of
securities and other assets are included in noninterest income. This is the
component of noninterest income with the greatest level of variation. Gains on
sales of loans experience variations due to the number of loans sold to the
secondary market and to the price offered by the secondary market for such
loans. The Bank sells loans to the secondary market in conjunction with certain
fixed-rate loan programs, to provide funding and as an interest
F-5
<PAGE> 123
rate risk management tool. The Bank recorded gains on loan sales of $1,035,000
in 1998, $437,000 in 1997 and $711,000 in 1996.
NONINTEREST EXPENSE
Emerald's major subsidiary, Strongsville Savings Bank, has made a
commitment to expand its franchise value by blanketing its market area with easy
access Community Financial Centers. We believe the expansion of the Company's
financial network will benefit current and future customers by being close to
their homes. There are operating costs involved in franchise expansion; however,
we believe the benefits of expanding to provide full coverage to our targeted
market are worth the investment. Our strategy has shown good results as the
deposits at the five Offices added since 1993 stood at $104.3 million at
December 31, 1998, and $87.3 million at December 31, 1997. The Bank entered the
Avon Lake market when it opened its fifteenth office in February 1999 in Avon
Lake.
While Strongsville Savings grew and expanded its franchise and services
into more communities, management worked hard to control costs. The Company's
ratio of noninterest expense to average assets was 1.55% in 1998 and in 1997 an
improvement over the 1.79% in 1996. The common industry benchmark for this ratio
is 2.00% or less. According to SNL Securities Thrift Performance as of September
30, 1998, industry averages were 2.25% for the twelve months ended September 30,
1998, and 2.21% and 2.23% for the years ended December 31, 1997 and 1996,
respectively.
Noninterest expense was $9,790,000 in 1998, $9,485,000 in 1997 and
$9,524,000 in 1996. The increase of $305,000 in 1998 is primarily due to
marketing and data processing expenses.
Congress passed legislation to recapitalize the SAIF fund of the FDIC
during 1996 that required thrift institutions, such as Strongsville Savings, to
pay a one-time assessment to recapitalize the SAIF fund of 65.7c per $100 of
deposits as of March 31, 1995. The Bank recognized a charge to earnings of $2.5
million (pre-tax) as a result. The Company has adjusted 1996 results in the
paragraphs above as if this one-time charge had not been incurred.
FEDERAL INCOME TAXES
The Bank provided for federal income taxes as follows: $3,592,000 in 1998,
$3,170,000 in 1997 and $1,941,000 in 1996. The changes in the level of the
Company's provision for federal income taxes were primarily due to changes in
the level of pre-tax income. The effective tax rates for the periods were 32.0%
in 1998, 34.0% in 1997 and 35.4% in 1996. The reduction in the effective rate is
attributable to tax planning strategies implemented by the Company.
LENDING ACTIVITIES
The cornerstone of Strongsville Savings' lending activities is providing
mortgage loans to homeowners. The Bank principally originates conventional first
mortgage loans secured by residential real estate. The Bank's newest loan
product, the Emerald Home Equity Line of Credit (the Emerald Line), enables
customers to utilize the equity in their homes to fund improvements, education
or whatever they choose. The Emerald Line's interest rate is based on the
Company's prime rate. Loans made to home-owners on owner-occupied one-to-four
family residences typically have low credit risk because the borrower occupies
the home. Credit risk management is also enhanced by the historically stable
real estate values in Northeastern Ohio.
Strongsville Savings has developed a niche in the residential construction
loan market. The Bank makes residential land development loans to local builders
and developers with whom strong business relationships have been developed.
These loans are made on land zoned for residential use which will be developed
into residential building lots. In addition, the Bank provides construction
loans to builders for the construction of homes, most of which are pre-sold, and
to individuals for the construction of their homes.
Management considers these development and construction loans as having
somewhat greater credit risk than conventional residential mortgage loans
because there is uncertainty related to the completion of projects
F-6
<PAGE> 124
within their time and cost budgets. Strongsville's management constantly
monitors these loans and reviews the progress of each with the borrowers and
contractors to manage and mitigate the risk involved.
Management believes that loans secured by commercial property may present a
higher degree of credit risk than residential loans. The factors that tend to
increase the credit risk of these loans include the concentration of principal
in a limited number of loans and borrowers, the effects of general economic
conditions on income-producing properties and the increased difficulty of
evaluating and monitoring such properties. Furthermore, the repayment of loans
secured by commercial real estate is typically dependent upon the cash flows of
the related business enterprise. The Bank has instituted procedures to monitor
the cash flows of its commercial real estate loan customers.
ASSET QUALITY
Management has designed stringent underwriting standards to minimize credit
risk in the Company's loan portfolio. All loans are subject to these standards,
which include evaluating each applicant's ability to make periodic payments, his
or her equity in the property, and the value of the underlying collateral.
Management monitors the loan portfolio to determine that the level of credit
risk remains stable and acceptable.
The Bank defines non-performing loans as those loans where there is an
indication that the borrower no longer has the ability to repay. Generally,
these loans are more than 90 days delinquent. Non-performing assets include
non-performing loans. The Company's non-performing assets have consistently been
below peer group averages. The Company's ratio of non-performing assets to total
assets was 0.35%, 0.55% and 0.30% at December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996,
respectively. According to the SNL Securities Thrift Performance as of September
30, 1998, the industry average ratio of non-performing assets to total assets
was 0.50% at September 30, 1998, and 0.54% and 0.59% at December 31, 1997 and
1996, respectively.
TABLE V
NON-PERFORMING ASSETS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DECEMBER 31,
--------------------------
1998 1997 1996
------ ------ ------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Total non-performing loans............................... $2,000 $2,144 $1,699
Other non-performing assets.............................. 344 1,169 --
------ ------ ------
Total non-performing assets.................... $2,344 $3,313 $1,699
====== ====== ======
Non-performing assets to total assets.................... 0.35% 0.55% 0.30%
Allowance for loan losses to non-performing loans........ 88.87% 75.80% 83.76%
Net charge-offs to average loans outstanding for the
year................................................... 0.11% 0.00% 0.01%
</TABLE>
At December 31, 1998, non-performing loans included eleven residential
loans totaling $987,000, two construction loans totaling $654,000, two land
loans totaling $181,000, two commercial business loans totaling $171,000 and
eight consumer loans totaling $7,000. Other non-performing assets included three
investments totaling $344,000. The Bank's strict underwriting standards and
collection procedures serve to minimize credit risk.
At December 31, 1998, there was one loan secured by a funeral home totaling
$483,000 which is not included in the table above. Indications of possible cash
flow problems have caused management concern regarding the borrower's ability to
comply with present loan repayment terms and may result in the classification of
this loan as non-performing in the future. Based on written opinions from an
independent fee appraiser, the collateral value of the property is sufficient to
cover the total outstanding debt.
F-7
<PAGE> 125
LIQUIDITY
The Bank is required to maintain an average daily balance of liquid assets
(cash, certain time deposits, bankers' acceptances, specified United States
Government, state or federal agency obligations, shares of certain mutual funds
and certain corporate debt securities and commercial paper) equal to a monthly
average of not less than specified percentages of its net withdrawable deposit
accounts plus short-term borrowings. The average eligible liquidity at December
31, 1998 was 8.57%, which exceeded the 5.0% requirement. The Company's
short-term liquidity at December 31, 1998, was 5.67%, which exceeded the 1.0%
requirement.
Financial institutions, such as Strongsville Savings, must ensure that
sufficient funds are available to meet deposit withdrawals, loan commitments and
expenses. Management of cash flows requires the anticipation of deposit flows
and loan payments. The Company's primary sources of funds are deposits and loan
payments. The Bank uses funds from deposit inflows and loan payments primarily
to originate loans, and to purchase short-term investment securities and
interest-earning deposits.
At December 31, 1998, loans-in-process to be funded over a future period of
time totaled $43.5 million, and loan commitments or loans committed but not
closed totaled $47.4 million. There were no commitments to purchase or sell
loans at December 31, 1998 or 1997. Funding for these amounts is expected to be
provided by the sources described above. Management believes the Bank has
adequate resources to meet its normal funding requirements.
The Bank is a party to a credit agreement with the Federal Home Loan Bank
(FHLB) of Cincinnati whereby the Bank can obtain advances. The Bank had $48.2
million in advances outstanding from FHLB of Cincinnati at December 31, 1998.
IMPACT OF INFLATION AND CHANGING PRICES
The financial statements and related data herein have been prepared in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, which require
measurement of financial condition and results of operations in terms of
historical dollars, without considering changes in the relative purchasing power
of money over time due to inflation.
Changes in the general level of prices for goods and services have a
relatively minor impact on the Company's total expenses because the Company's
primary assets and liabilities are monetary in nature. Increases in operating
expenses such as salaries and maintenance are in part attributable to inflation.
However, interest rates have a far more significant effect than inflation on the
performance of financial institutions, including the Bank.
YEAR 2000 ISSUE
The Company is aware of the issues associated with the programming code in
existing computer systems as the year 2000 approaches. The Year 2000
(Y2K)problem is pervasive and complex as virtually every computer operation will
be affected in some way by the rollover of the two digit year value to 00. The
issue is whether computer systems will properly recognize date sensitive
information when the year changes to 2000. Systems that do not properly
recognize such information could generate erroneous data or cause the system to
fail.
Emerald has established a company-wide program to address the Y2K issue.
The effort encompasses software, hardware, networks, PC's and other facilities,
and supplier and customer readiness. The target date for mission critical system
to be Y2K compliant is March 31, 1999. The Company is currently on schedule and
is over 90% complete. The Company has identified and remediated its mission
critical systems. Testing of mission critical systems is scheduled to be
completed by March 31, 1999. The Company has established contingency plans for
its mission critical systems which involve alternative processing or manual
processing, depending on the nature of each system involved. Through 1998, the
Company has expensed incremental remediation costs of $25,000 with remaining
incremental remediation costs estimated at $ 60,000. The company does not track
employee time separately for Y2K projects, therefore any Y2K-related payroll
costs are included in compensation expense.
F-8
<PAGE> 126
There are certain market risks associated with the Y2K issue that could
impact the Company. The Bank may experience increases in problem loans and
credit losses in the event that borrowers fail to properly respond to the Y2K
issue. Costs of funds could increase in the event that customers react to
publicity about the Y2K issue by withdrawing deposits. The Company could also be
impacted if third parties it deals with in conducting its business, such as
governmental agencies, telephone companies, and other service providers, fail to
properly address the Y2K issue. The Bank has identified critical business
interfaces and is assessing their efforts related to the Y2K issue.
NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
See the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Note 1, caption New
Accounting Standards for a discussion of accounting and reporting developments
affecting the Bank.
QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
The Company's asset and liability management program is intended to
minimize the impact of significant changes in interest rates on net interest
income and net portfolio value. The Executive Committee of the Bank, which
includes representatives from the Board and from senior management, monitors and
evaluates methods for managing interest rate risk within acceptable levels as
determined by the Board of Directors. If projected changes in the Bank's net
portfolio value are not within the limits established by the Board, the Board
may direct management to change the asset and liability mix to bring interest
rate risk within such approved limits. Management believes the keys to
successful interest rate and credit risk management include the monitoring and
management of interest rate sensitivity and the quality of assets, discussed
above. Interest rate risk is the risk that net interest income or net portfolio
value will decline significantly in periods of changing interest rates.
Strongsville Savings has endeavored to buffer net income from the effect of
changes in interest rates by reducing the maturity or repricing mismatch between
its interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities. The Bank's
strategy includes originating adjustable rate mortgage (ARM) loans, selling
certain fixed-rate residential mortgage loans to the Federal Home Loan Mortgage
Corporation (Freddie Mac) and investing in securities with short to medium
terms. This strategy has resulted in an investment of $264.7 million, or 45.5%
of the Company's total loan portfolio in ARM loans at December 31, 1998. The
Bank originated $156.8 million, $129.3 million and $97.7 million in ARM loans in
1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively. Although the Bank is committed to originating
ARM loans, management believes that discounted "teaser" rate loans diminish the
effectiveness of ARM loans for managing interest rate risk; therefore the Bank
does not offer teaser rate loans.
Strongsville Savings sold $94.9 million in long-term fixed-rate loans to
Freddie Mac during 1998. The Bank only sells loans to the secondary market on a
non-recourse basis with servicing retained.
The Company's investment portfolio consists primarily of investment grade
corporate debt, government agency debt and mortgage-backed securities issued by
government agencies. Substantially all of the Company's investment portfolio are
available for sale thus allowing the company the flexibility to respond to
anticipated interest rate risk challenges or opportunities.
The Company's strategy to reduce the maturity or repricing mismatch between
its interest rate sensitive assets and liabilities includes reducing the terms
to maturity of its long-term interest-earning assets, as noted above, and
lengthening the terms to repricing or maturity of its interest-bearing
liabilities. At December 31, 1998, the Company's long-term fixed-rate deposits
with terms exceeding three years were $40.2 million.
A common industry measure of a financial institution's general sensitivity
to interest rates is called the gap (the GAP). The GAP represents the difference
between the Company's interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities
maturing within certain time frames as a percent of the Company's total assets.
Generally, a negative gap indicated that a company's net interest income
(NII)would decrease during periods of rising interest rates and NII would
increase during periods of declining interest rates. The Company considers the
gap as a component of its interest rate risk analysis and is pleased with the
decline in
F-9
<PAGE> 127
negative gap from 4.11% of assets at December 31, 1997 to negative 3.71% of
total assets at December 31, 1998.
Table 6 illustrates the maturities or repricing of the Company's assets and
liabilities at December 31, 1998 based on information from the financial model
used by Strongsville Savings concerning prepayments and decay rates of major
asset and liability categories.
TABLE VI
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DECEMBER 31, 1998
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10 OR
MATURING OR WITHIN 6-12 1-3 3-5 5-10 MORE FAIR
REPRICING PERIODS 6 MONTHS MONTHS YEARS YEARS YEARS YEARS TOTAL VALUE
----------------- -------- -------- -------- -------- ------- ------- -------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Interest-earning assets
Adjustable-rate
mortgages............... $130,704 $ 33,206 $ 40,581 $204,491 $204,480
Weighted average
yield................. 8.49% 7.71% 7.90% 8.24%
Fixed-rate mortgage
loans................... 28,213 25,757 82,488 57,292 77,167 31,155 302,072 305,327
Weighted average
yield................. 6.89% 6.88% 6.85% 6.82% 6.78% 6.73% 6.82%
Other loans............... 21,769 461 1,506 1,046 503 -- 25,285 25,559
Weighted average
yield................. 8.55% 9.02% 9.01% 8.97% 8.90% 0.00% 8.61%
Investments............... 51,570 9,544 6,163 7,529 18,505 6,485 99,796 99,950
Weighted average
yield................. 6.42% 6.22% 6.04% 5.51% 6.16% 6.73% 6.28%
-------- -------- -------- -------- ------- ------- -------- --------
Total............... 232,256 68,968 130,738 65,867 96,175 37,640 631,644 635,316
-------- -------- -------- -------- ------- ------- -------- --------
Interest-bearing liabilities
Certificates of
deposit............... 153,253 144,068 90,367 40,240 427,928 435,807
Weighted average rate... 5.38% 5.74% 5.96% 6.63% 5.74%
Money markets............. 1,905 1,650 4,667 2,625 2,574 801 14,222 14,223
Weighted average rate... 2.27% 2.27% 2.27% 2.27% 2.27% 2.27% 2.27%
NOW and passbooks......... 13,150 10,732 32,210 18,118 17,766 5,528 97,504 98,162
Weighted average rate... 2.39% 2.37% 2.39% 2.39% 2.39% 2.39% 2.39%
Advances from the FHLB.... 1,293 -- 23,939 -- 23,000 48,232 47,781
Weighted average rate... 6.14% 0.00% 5.82% 0.00% 4.97% 5.42%
-------- -------- -------- -------- ------- ------- -------- --------
Total............... 169,601 156,450 151,183 60,983 43,340 6,329 587,886 595,973
-------- -------- -------- -------- ------- ------- -------- --------
Interest rate sensitivity
gap....................... $ 62,655 $(87,482) $(20,445) $ 4,884 $52,835 $31,311 $ 43,758
Cumulative gap.............. $ 62,655 $(24,827) $(45,272) $(40,388) $12,447 $43,758
======== ======== ======== ======== ======= ======= ======== ========
Cumulative interest rate
sensitivity gap as a
percent of total assets at
December 31, 1998......... 9.37% -3.71% -6.77% -6.04% 1.86% 6.55%
Cumulative interest rate
sensitivity gap as a
percent of total assets at
December 31, 1997......... 10.37% -4.11% -7.50% -6.69% 2.06% 7.25%
</TABLE>
The table presents the repricing dates of the Company's interest-earning
assets and interest-bearing liabilities at December 31, 1998. The annual
prepayment and decay rates used in this table are obtained from an independent
analysis service. Annual prepayment assumptions for 1998 range from 11% to 26%
on fixed-rate mortgage loans, 9% to 45% on ARM loans, 11% to 18% on
non-residential real estate mortgage loans, and 11% to 16% on other loans.
Annual prepayment assumptions for 1997 range from 8% to 22% on fixed-rate
mortgage loans, 9% to 34% on ARM loans, 12% to 15% on non-residential real
estate mortgage loans, and 9% to 20% on other loans. The NOW, money market
deposit and passbook accounts' decay rates were assumed to vary across time
horizons from 0% to 33% in 1998 and in 1997.
The method used to analyze interest-rate sensitivity in Table 6 has a
number of limitations. Certain assets and liabilities may react differently to
changes in interest rates even though they reprice or mature in the same or
similar time periods. The interest rates on certain assets and liabilities may
change at different times from changes in market rates, with some changing in
advance of changes in market rates and some
F-10
<PAGE> 128
lagging behind changes in market rates. Also, certain assets, e.g. ARM loans,
often have provisions that may limit changes in interest rates each time the
interest rate changes and on a cumulative basis over the life of the loan.
Additionally, the actual prepayments and withdrawals experienced in the event of
a change in interest rates could deviate significantly from those assumed in
calculating the data shown in the table. Finally, the ability of some borrowers
to service their debt may decrease in the event of an interest rate increase.
F-11
<PAGE> 129
EMERALD FINANCIAL CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PAGE
----
<S> <C>
Independent Auditors' Reports............................... F-13
Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition.............. F-15
Consolidated Statements of Income........................... F-16
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity............. F-17
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows....................... F-18
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.................. F-19
</TABLE>
F-12
<PAGE> 130
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT
The Board of Directors
Emerald Financial Corp.:
We have audited the accompanying consolidated statements of financial
condition of Emerald Financial Corp. and Subsidiaries (Company), including The
Strongsville Savings Bank, as of December 31, 1998 and 1997, and the related
consolidated statements of income, shareholders' equity, and cash flows for the
years then ended. These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility
of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on
these consolidated financial statements based on our audits. The consolidated
financial statements of The Strongsville Savings Bank and Subsidiary for the
year ended December 31, 1996 were audited by other auditors whose report thereon
dated January 25, 1997, expressed an unqualified opinion on those statements.
We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the 1998 and 1997 consolidated financial statements
referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial
position of Emerald Financial Corp. and Subsidiaries at December 31, 1998 and
1997, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for the years
then ended in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.
KPMG LLP
February 5, 1999
F-13
<PAGE> 131
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT
To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of
Emerald Financial Corp.
We have audited the accompanying consolidated statements of income,
shareholders' equity, and cash flows of Emerald Financial Corp. (successor to
The Strongsville Savings Bank) for the year ended December 31, 1996. These
financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our
responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on
our audit.
We conducted our audit in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly,
in all material respects, the results of operations and cash flows of Emerald
Financial Corp. for the year ended December 31, 1996 in conformity with
generally accepted accounting principles.
/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP
Cleveland, Ohio
January 25, 1997
F-14
<PAGE> 132
EMERALD FINANCIAL CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
DECEMBER 31, 1998 AND 1997
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
ASSETS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1998 1997
-------- --------
<S> <C> <C>
Cash and cash equivalents:
Cash and deposits with banks.............................. $ 9,980 $ 7,729
Interest-bearing deposits with banks...................... 62 3,033
Securities (note 2):
Held to maturity (fair values of $4,603 and $14,037 at
December 31, 1998 and 1997, respectively)............... 4,694 14,231
Available for sale (at fair value), (amortized cost of
$46,779 and $32,240 at December 31, 1998 and 1997,
respectively)........................................... 46,499 32,465
Mortgage-backed and related securities (note 3):
Held to maturity (fair value of $26,416 at December 31,
1997)................................................... -- 25,825
Available for sale (at fair value), (amortized cost of
$44,980 and $27,209 at December 31, 1998 and 1997,
respectively)........................................... 44,963 27,312
Loans held for investment, net (including allowance for loan
losses of $1,778 and $1,625 at December 31, 1998 and 1997,
respectively) (note 4).................................... 526,197 461,457
Loans held for sale (note 4)................................ 5,873 7,823
Accrued interest receivable................................. 3,449 3,343
Federal Home Loan Bank stock, at cost....................... 3,823 3,504
Premises and equipment, net (note 5)........................ 4,948 4,259
Cash surrender value of life insurance...................... 16,404 10,341
Prepaid expenses and other assets........................... 1,567 2,643
-------- --------
Total assets....................................... $668,459 $603,965
======== ========
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Liabilities:
Deposits (note 6)......................................... $559,235 $520,690
Advances from Federal Home Loan Bank (note 7)............. 48,232 28,138
Advance payments by borrowers for taxes and insurance..... 1,847 1,574
Deferred federal income taxes (notes 8)................... 1,911 1,875
Accrued interest payable.................................. 861 1,002
Accounts payable and other accrued expenses............... 1,589 2,171
-------- --------
Total liabilities.................................. $613,675 $555,450
======== ========
Commitments and contingencies (note 14)
Shareholders' equity (notes 8 and 12) Common stock, no par
value; 20,000,000 shares authorized; 10,283,164 and
10,145,200 shares issued and outstanding at December 31,
1998 and 1997, respectively............................... 10,074 9,831
Treasury stock at cost, 25,800 shares..................... (267) --
Retained earnings -- substantially restricted............. 45,174 38,468
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)............. (197) 216
-------- --------
Total shareholders' equity......................... 54,784 48,515
-------- --------
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity......... $668,459 $603,965
======== ========
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
F-15
<PAGE> 133
EMERALD FINANCIAL CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998, 1997, AND 1996
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1998 1997 1996
------- ------- -------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Interest income:
Loans..................................................... $39,077 $36,892 $32,442
Investment securities..................................... 2,690 3,473 3,836
Mortgage-backed and related securities.................... 3,419 3,882 3,110
Other investments......................................... 913 713 470
------- ------- -------
Total interest income.............................. 46,099 44,960 39,858
------- ------- -------
Interest expense:
Deposits (note 6)......................................... 26,779 26,575 23,516
Advances from Federal Home Loan Bank...................... 1,957 1,680 978
------- ------- -------
Total interest expense............................. 28,736 28,255 24,494
------- ------- -------
Net interest income................................ 17,363 16,705 15,364
Provision for loan losses (note 4).......................... 710 215 305
------- ------- -------
Net interest income after provision for loan
losses........................................... 16,653 16,490 15,059
Noninterest income:
Loan servicing fees....................................... 859 738 623
Service fees and other charges............................ 1,078 952 680
Gain on sale of loans held for sale and other assets...... 1,014 463 1,008
Gain on sale of securities (note 2)....................... 509 6 --
Gain on sale of mortgage-backed securities (note 3)....... 55 6 83
Other..................................................... 853 141 41
------- ------- -------
4,368 2,306 2,435
Noninterest expense:
Salaries and employee benefits (note 10).................. 3,819 4,084 3,716
Net occupancy and equipment............................... 1,565 1,550 1,549
Federal deposit insurance premium......................... 327 316 935
One-time SAIF assessment (note 11)........................ -- -- 2,481
Franchise tax............................................. 641 586 560
Advertising and promotions................................ 683 467 537
Other..................................................... 2,755 2,482 2,227
------- ------- -------
9,790 9,485 12,005
------- ------- -------
Income before federal income taxes and cumulative
effect of a change in accounting principle....... 11,231 9,311 5,489
Federal income taxes (note 8)............................... 3,592 3,170 1,941
------- ------- -------
Income before cumulative effect of a change in
accounting principle............................. 7,639 6,141 3,548
------- ------- -------
Cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle, net
of related income taxes of $60 (note 1)................... 117 -- --
------- ------- -------
Net income......................................... $ 7,756 $ 6,141 $ 3,548
======= ======= =======
Basic earnings per common share............................. $ 0.76 $ 0.61 $ 0.35
======= ======= =======
Diluted earnings per common share........................... $ 0.72 $ 0.59 $ 0.35
======= ======= =======
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
F-16
<PAGE> 134
EMERALD FINANCIAL CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998, 1997, AND 1996
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ACCUM-
ULATED
OTHER
COMMON STOCK COMPRE- TOTAL
---------------------- HENSIVE SHARE-
SHARES RETAINED INCOME TREASURY HOLDERS'
OUTSTANDING AMOUNT EARNINGS (LOSS) STOCK EQUITY
----------- ------- -------- ------- -------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Balance at December 31, 1995................... 10,123,200 $ 9,831 $31,064 $ 196 -- $41,091
Dividends -- $0.118 per share.................. -- -- (1,190) -- -- (1,190)
Comprehensive income:
Net unrealized loss in fair value of
securities................................. -- -- -- (291) -- (291)
Net income................................... -- -- 3,548 -- -- 3,548
---------- ------- ------- ----- ----- -------
Total comprehensive income............. -- -- 3,548 (291) -- 3,257
---------- ------- ------- ----- ----- -------
Balance at December 31, 1996................... 10,123,200 9,831 33,422 (95) -- 43,158
Stock options exercised........................ 22,000 -- 106 -- -- 106
Tax benefits of stock options exercised........ -- -- 14 -- -- 14
Dividends -- $0.12 per share................... -- -- (1,215) -- -- (1,215)
Comprehensive income:
Net unrealized gain in fair value of
securities................................. -- -- -- 311 -- 311
Net income................................... -- -- 6,141 -- -- 6,141
---------- ------- ------- ----- ----- -------
Total comprehensive income............. -- -- 6,141 311 -- 6,452
---------- ------- ------- ----- ----- -------
Balance at December 31, 1997................... 10,145,200 9,831 38,468 216 -- 48,515
Stock options exercised........................ 142,188 -- 672 -- -- 672
Treasury shares acquired....................... (25,800) -- -- -- $(267) (267)
Tax benefits of stock options exercised........ -- -- 282 -- 282
Dividends -- $0.195 per share.................. -- -- (2,004) -- -- (2,004)
Dividend reinvestment plan shares.............. 21,576 243 -- -- -- 243
Comprehensive income:
Net unrealized loss in fair value of
securities................................. -- -- -- (413) -- (413)
Net income................................... -- -- 7,756 -- -- 7,756
---------- ------- ------- ----- ----- -------
Total comprehensive income............. -- -- 7,756 (413) -- 7,343
---------- ------- ------- ----- ----- -------
Balance at December 31, 1998................... 10,283,164 $10,074 $45,174 $(197) $(267) $54,784
========== ======= ======= ===== ===== =======
Disclosure of reclassification amount:
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1998 1997 1996
----- ---- -----
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Unrealized holding gains (losses) arising during the period
net of tax effect of $(40), 171, and (122) for the periods
ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively...... $ (78) $331 $(236)
Less reclassification adjustment for gains and losses
included in net income net of tax effect of $(173), (10),
and (28) for the periods ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and
1996, respectively........................................ (335) (20) (55)
----- ---- -----
$(413) $311 $(291)
===== ==== =====
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
F-17
<PAGE> 135
EMERALD FINANCIAL CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998, 1997, AND 1996
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1998 1997 1996
-------- -------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income................................................ $ 7,756 $ 6,141 $ 3,548
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided
by (used in) operating activities:
Provision for loan losses............................... 710 215 305
Gain on sale of loans held for sale and other assets.... (1,014) (463) (1,008)
Gain on sale of securities.............................. (509) (6) --
Gain on sale of mortgage-backed and related
securities............................................. (233) (6) (83)
Amortization of deferred loan fees, premiums, and
discounts, net......................................... (3,281) (2,517) (2,780)
Proceeds from sale of loans originated for sale......... 93,847 55,221 54,222
Disbursements on loans originated for sale.............. (91,011) (61,820) (49,251)
Depreciation and amortization........................... 744 740 815
Change in accrued interest receivable and payable....... (247) 311 222
Deferred federal income taxes........................... 248 131 151
Other, net.............................................. (1,623) (1,035) (282)
-------- -------- --------
Net cash provided by (used in) operating
activities.......................................... 5,387 (3,088) 5,859
-------- -------- --------
Cash flows from investing activities:
Net increase in loans..................................... (61,095) (29,164) (89,255)
Purchases of:
Loans................................................... (926) (4,922) (2,250)
Mortgage-backed securities available for sale........... (28,687) (14,519) (14,488)
Mortgage-backed securities held to maturity............. -- -- (3,149)
Securities available for sale........................... (41,665) (44,645) (30,600)
Securities held to maturity............................. (27,400) (18,200) (13,420)
Federal Home Loan Bank stock............................ (58) (441) (239)
Premises and equipment.................................. (1,343) (910) (566)
Cash surrender value of life insurance.................. (5,000) (10,000) --
Proceeds from:
Maturities and principal repayments of Securities
available for sale..................................... 12,806 19,746 17,906
Securities held to maturity........................... 36,671 51,491 32,318
Mortgage-backed securities available for sale......... 21,937 5,738 2,604
Mortgage-backed securities held to maturity........... 5,098 6,712 8,035
Sales of available for sale securities.................. 15,095 15,710 --
Sales of available for sale mortgage-backed
securities............................................. 9,939 1,299 6,744
Sales of premises and equipment......................... -- -- 645
Other..................................................... 683 (683) --
-------- -------- --------
Net cash used in investing activities............... (63,945) (22,788) (85,715)
-------- -------- --------
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net increase in deposits.................................. 38,545 27,219 60,908
Proceeds from advances from Federal Home Loan Bank........ 35,000 26,900 73,650
Payments on advances from Federal Home Loan Bank.......... (14,906) (23,996) (61,749)
Increase in advance payments by borrowers for taxes and
insurance............................................... 273 72 280
Exercise of stock options................................. 954 106 --
Payment of dividends on common stock...................... (2,004) (1,215) (1,190)
Purchase of treasury shares............................... (267) -- --
Dividend reinvestment plan shares issued.................. 243 -- --
-------- -------- --------
Net cash provided by financing activities........... 57,838 29,086 71,899
-------- -------- --------
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash
equivalents......................................... (720) 3,210 (7,957)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year.............. 10,762 7,552 15,509
-------- -------- --------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year.................... $ 10,042 $ 10,762 $ 7,552
======== ======== ========
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Cash paid during the year for:
Interest................................................ $ 28,877 $ 27,839 $ 24,333
Income taxes............................................ 3,507 2,944 1,863
======== ======== ========
Supplemental disclosure of noncash investing activities:
Transfer from mortgage loans to real estate owned......... $ 233 $ 1,794 $ 696
Loans made to finance the sale of real estate owned....... 710 1,237 600
======== ======== ========
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
F-18
<PAGE> 136
EMERALD FINANCIAL CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 1998, 1997, AND 1996
(1) SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
(A) NATURE OF OPERATIONS
Emerald Financial Corp. (Emerald or Company) is a unitary thrift holding
company whose wholly owned subsidiary is The Strongsville Savings Bank (Bank).
Emerald became the Bank's holding company in a tax-free exchange of shares of
the Bank for shares of Emerald consummated on March 6, 1997. The Company formed
Emerald Development Corp., a wholly owned subsidiary, on June 3, 1997. The
development company was formed to take advantage of opportunities to develop
real estate as well as to enter into joint real estate development ventures in
the future. Also, the Bank has an inactive wholly owned subsidiary, Dennis
Financial Corp. The Bank conducts its principal activities from its Community
Financial Centers located in southwestern Cuyahoga, Lorain, and Medina counties.
The Bank's principal activities include residential lending and retail banking.
(B) PRINCIPLES OF CONSOLIDATION
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company
and its Subsidiaries. All material intercompany transactions and balances have
been eliminated in consolidation.
(C) USE OF ESTIMATES
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and
assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and
disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial
statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the
reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
(D) SECURITIES
The Company classifies debt and equity securities into one of three
categories: held to maturity, available for sale, or trading. Securities held to
maturity are limited to debt securities that the Company has the positive intent
and ability to hold to maturity; these securities are reported at amortized
cost. Securities held for trading are limited to debt and equity securities that
are held to be sold in the near term; these securities are reported at fair
value, and unrealized gains and losses are reflected in income. Securities held
as available for sale consist of all other securities; these securities are
reported at fair value, and unrealized gains and losses, net of deferred income
taxes, are reflected as a separate component of accumulated other comprehensive
income in shareholders' equity until realized.
Realized gains or losses on the sale of securities are reported in the
consolidated statements of income on the trade date. The cost of securities sold
is based on the specific identification method.
(E) LOANS
Interest income on loans is based on the principal balance outstanding.
Interest is accrued and credited to income as earned unless there is a distinct
indication that the borrower's cash flow or collateral may not be sufficient to
meet contractual obligations. Loans are also placed on nonaccrual status when
principal or interest is past due more than 90 days, unless the loan is well
secured and in the process of collection. When a loan is placed on nonaccrual
status, all previously accrued and unpaid interest is charged against income.
Interest is subsequently recognized only to the extent that cash payments are
received. When the borrower has demonstrated the intent and ability to make
scheduled principal and interest payments, the loan may be returned to accrual
status.
F-19
<PAGE> 137
EMERALD FINANCIAL CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 1998, 1997, AND 1996
Loan origination fees, net of certain direct loan origination costs, are
deferred and amortized over the life of the related loans as a yield adjustment
for loans originated for investment. Loan origination fees, net of certain
direct loan origination costs, are deferred and recognized as a basis adjustment
for loans held for sale. Loan commitment fees are deferred and recognized as
yield adjustments over the estimated life of the related loans or recognized
immediately if a commitment expires unexercised.
Residential mortgage loans held for sale are valued at the lower of
aggregate cost or market value. Gains or losses on sales are recognized upon
settlement date.
In June 1996, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued SFAS
No. 125, Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and
Extinguishment of Liabilities, and was effective for transactions entered into
on or after January 1, 1997. The adoption of SFAS No. 125 did not have a
material impact on the Bank's consolidated financial position or results of
operations.
Impaired loans include all non-one-to-four family residential mortgage
loans greater than $500,000 on nonaccrual status. Loan impairment is measured as
the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan's initial
effective interest rate, the fair value of the collateral of an impaired
collateral-dependent loan, or an observable market price.
(F) FEDERAL INCOME TAXES
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the estimated future
tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement
carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax
bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates
in effect for the year in which the temporary differences are expected to be
recovered or settled, and the effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a
change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the
enactment date.
(G) ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES
The allowance for loan losses is maintained at a level management considers
adequate to absorb loan losses. Loans charged-off are charged to, and recoveries
are credited to, the allowance. Provisions for loan losses are based on
management's review of the historical loan loss experience, known and inherent
risks in the portfolio, current economic conditions, and such other factors
that, in management's judgment, are relevant.
(H) PREMISES AND EQUIPMENT
Bank premises and equipment, including leasehold improvements, are stated
at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation is computed
on the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the related
assets. Amortization of leasehold improvements is computed on the straight-line
method over the lives of the related leases or the useful lives of the related
assets, whichever is shorter. Maintenance, repairs, and minor improvements are
charged to operating expenses as incurred.
(I) INTANGIBLE ASSETS
Cost in excess of the fair value of net assets acquired (goodwill) is
stated net of accumulated amortization and is included in prepaid expenses and
other assets in the consolidated statements of financial condition. Goodwill
resulting from acquisitions is amortized over 25 years on a straight-line basis.
For acquisitions in which the fair value of liabilities assumed exceeds the fair
value of tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired, goodwill is
amortized by the level-yield method based upon the outstanding balances, and
over the estimated remaining lives, of the long-term assets acquired. Management
periodically
F-20
<PAGE> 138
EMERALD FINANCIAL CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 1998, 1997, AND 1996
reviews goodwill and the related estimated useful lives for impairment, or for
events or changes in circumstances that may indicate the carrying amount of the
asset may not be recoverable, and would write goodwill down, if necessary.
(J) REAL ESTATE ACQUIRED IN SETTLEMENT OF LOANS
Real estate acquired in settlement of loans represents real estate acquired
through foreclosure, or deed in lieu of foreclosure, and is initially recorded
at the lower of cost or fair value less estimated selling costs. Valuations are
performed periodically by management and an allowance for loan losses is
established if the carrying value of the property exceeds its fair value less
estimated selling costs.
(K) EARNINGS PER SHARE
The following table reconciles the weighted average shares outstanding and
the income available to common shareholders used for basic and diluted earnings
per share:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
-----------------------------------------
1998 1997 1996
----------- ----------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding
in basic earnings per common share calculation.... 10,263,081 10,130,312 10,123,200
Net dilutive effect of stock options................ 482,180 300,272 98,326
----------- ----------- -----------
Weighted average number of shares outstanding
adjusted for effect of dilutive securities... 10,745,261 10,430,584 10,221,526
=========== =========== ===========
Income before cumulative effect of a change in
accounting principle.............................. $ 7,639,000 $ 6,141,000 $ 3,548,000
Cumulative effect of a change in accounting
principle, net of related income taxes............ 117,000 -- --
----------- ----------- -----------
Net income..................................... $ 7,756,000 $ 6,141,000 $ 3,548,000
=========== =========== ===========
Basic earnings per common share:
Income before cumulative effect of a change in
accounting principle........................... $ 0.75 $ 0.61 $ 0.35
Cumulative effect of a change in accounting
principle, net of related income tax........... 0.01 -- --
----------- ----------- -----------
Basic earnings per common share................ $ 0.76 $ 0.61 $ 0.35
=========== =========== ===========
Diluted earnings per common share:
Income before cumulative effect of a change in
accounting principle........................... $ 0.71 $ 0.59 $ 0.35
Cumulative effect of a change in accounting
principle, net of related income taxes......... 0.01 -- --
----------- ----------- -----------
Diluted earnings per common share.............. $ 0.72 $ 0.59 $ 0.35
=========== =========== ===========
</TABLE>
(L) CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
For purposes of the consolidated statements of cash flows, the Bank
considers all cash and deposits with banks maturing in three months or less to
be cash equivalents.
(M) COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
On January 1, 1998, the Company adopted the provisions of SFAS No. 130,
Reporting Comprehensive Income. This Statement establishes standards for
reporting and display of comprehensive income and its
F-21
<PAGE> 139
EMERALD FINANCIAL CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 1998, 1997, AND 1996
components. Accumulated other comprehensive income consists of net income and
the net unrealized holding gains and losses on securities available-for-sale,
net of the related tax effect. Prior year financial statements have been
reclassified to conform to the requirements of the Statement.
(N) NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
The Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No.
131, Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information, on
January 1, 1998. This statement provides accounting and reporting standards for
the way public enterprises are to report information about operating segments in
annual financial statements and requires those enterprises to report selected
information about operating segments in interim financial reports issued to
shareholders. It also established standards for related disclosures about
products and services, geographic areas, and major customers. The Company has
determined that the adoption of SFAS No. 131 has no effect on its consolidated
financial statements as the Company's activities are considered to be in a
single industry segment.
The Financial Accounting Standards Board issued SFAS No. 133, Accounting
for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, in June 1998. The statement
is effective for quarters of fiscal years beginning after June 15, 1999, with
earlier application encouraged. The statement requires that all derivatives be
recognized as either assets or liabilities in the statement of financial
condition and those instruments be measured at fair value. The statement also
requires certain criteria to be met to apply hedge accounting. The Company
adopted the statement on July 1, 1998, and during the third quarter reclassified
$20,727,000 in securities from held to maturity to available for sale. Of these,
$5,944,000 were sold during the third quarter, resulting in a net gain of
$177,000 which is recorded as a cumulative effect of a change in accounting
principle in the consolidated statements of income.
SFAS No. 134, Accounting for Mortgage-Backed Securities Retained after
Securitization of Mortgage Loans Held for Sale by a Mortgage Banking Enterprise
was issued in October 1998 and is effective for the first fiscal quarter
beginning after December 15, 1998. This statement amends SFAS No. 65 to require
that after the securitization of mortgage loans held for sale, an entity engaged
in mortgage banking activities must classify the resulting mortgage-backed
securities or other retained interests based on its ability and intent to sell
or hold those investments. After the securitization of a mortgage loan held for
sale, any retained mortgage-backed securities shall be classified in accordance
with the provisions of SFAS No. 115. However, a mortgage banking enterprise must
classify as trading any retained mortgage-backed securities that it commits to
sell before or after the securitization process. At the present time, the
Company has not fully analyzed the effect of the adoption of SFAS No. 134 on its
consolidated financial statements. However, management does not believe that the
adoption of SFAS No. 134 will have a significant impact on the Company's
consolidated financial statements.
(O) RECLASSIFICATIONS
Certain amounts in the accompanying 1997 and 1996 consolidated financial
statements have been reclassified to conform to the 1998 presentation.
F-22
<PAGE> 140
EMERALD FINANCIAL CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 1998, 1997, AND 1996
(2) SECURITIES
Securities held to maturity as of December 31, 1998 and 1997, consist of
the following (dollars in thousands):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
GROSS GROSS ESTIMATED
AMORTIZED UNREALIZED UNREALIZED FAIR
COST GAINS LOSSES VALUE
--------- ---------- ---------- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
DECEMBER 31, 1998
U.S. government and agency obligations........... $ 4,350 $-- $ -- $ 4,350
Other............................................ 344 -- (91) 253
------- --- ----- -------
$ 4,694 $-- $ (91) $ 4,603
======= === ===== =======
DECEMBER 31, 1997
U.S. government and agency obligations........... $ 7,750 $-- $ -- $ 7,750
Corporate bonds.................................. 5,816 1 -- 5,817
Other............................................ 665 -- (195) 470
------- --- ----- -------
$14,231 $ 1 $(195) $14,037
======= === ===== =======
</TABLE>
The weighted average yield on securities held to maturity was 5.35% and
5.76% as of December 31, 1998 and 1997, respectively.
Securities held to maturity at December 31, 1998, mature within one year.
Securities available for sale as of December 31, 1998 and 1997, consist of
the following (dollars in thousands):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
GROSS GROSS ESTIMATED
AMORTIZED UNREALIZED UNREALIZED FAIR
COST GAINS LOSSES VALUES
--------- ---------- ---------- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
DECEMBER 31, 1998
U.S. government and agency obligations........... $ 9,432 $ 46 $ (13) $ 9,465
Corporate bonds.................................. 32,465 64 (185) 32,344
Other............................................ 4,882 8 (200) 4,690
------- ---- ----- -------
$46,779 $118 $(398) $46,499
======= ==== ===== =======
DECEMBER 31, 1997
U.S. government and agency obligations........... $10,852 $ 1 $ (6) $10,847
Corporate bonds.................................. 20,403 245 (15) 20,633
Other............................................ 985 -- -- 985
------- ---- ----- -------
$32,240 $246 $ (21) $32,465
======= ==== ===== =======
</TABLE>
The weighted average yield on securities available for sale was 5.94% and
6.55% as of December 31, 1998 and 1997, respectively.
The amortized cost and estimated market value of securities available for
sale at December 31, 1998, by contractual maturity, are shown below (dollars in
thousands). Expected maturities may differ from contractual maturities because
certain securities contain provisions which permit the issuer to repay, at par,
the obligation prior to the stated maturity.
F-23
<PAGE> 141
EMERALD FINANCIAL CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 1998, 1997, AND 1996
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ESTIMATED
AMORTIZED FAIR
COST VALUE
--------- ---------
<S> <C> <C>
Due in one year or less................................ $19,043 $18,895
Due after one year through five years.................. 11,618 11,653
Due in more than five years............................ 16,118 15,951
------- -------
$46,779 $46,499
======= =======
</TABLE>
There were no sales of securities held to maturity in 1998, 1997, or 1996.
Gross proceeds from sales of investment securities available for sale during the
years ended December 31, 1998 and 1997, totaled $15,095,000 and $15,710,000,
respectively; gross realized gains on these sales of investment securities
available for sale totaled $509,000 and $6,000 in 1998 and 1997, respectively.
There were no sales of investment securities available for sale in 1996.
At December 31, 1998 and 1997, securities with a book value of $2,350,000
and $7,750,000, respectively, were pledged as collateral for public funds and
treasury, tax, and loan deposits.
(3) MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES
Mortgage-backed securities held-to-maturity as of December 31, 1997
consisted of the following (dollars in thousands):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
GROSS GROSS ESTIMATED
AMORTIZED UNREALIZED UNREALIZED FAIR
COST GAINS LOSSES VALUE
--------- ---------- ---------- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
DECEMBER 31, 1997
Mortgage-backed securities
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (FHLMC)
participation certificates.................. $ 3,223 $ 49 $ (5) $ 3,267
Federal National Mortgage Association (FNMA)... 758 -- (2) 756
Government National Mortgage Association
(GNMA)...................................... 4,883 201 -- 5,084
Other.......................................... 3,823 26 -- 3,849
------- ---- ---- -------
12,687 276 (7) 12,956
Real estate mortgage investment trusts and
collateralized mortgage obligations:
FHLMC participation certificates............... 2,778 28 -- 2,806
FNMA........................................... 6,421 238 -- 6,659
Other.......................................... 3,939 59 (3) 3,995
------- ---- ---- -------
13,138 325 (3) 13,460
------- ---- ---- -------
$25,825 $601 $(10) $26,416
======= ==== ==== =======
</TABLE>
F-24
<PAGE> 142
EMERALD FINANCIAL CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 1998, 1997, AND 1996
Mortgage-backed securities available for sale as of December 31, 1998 and
1997, consist of the following (dollars in thousands):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
GROSS GROSS ESTIMATED
AMORTIZED UNREALIZED UNREALIZED FAIR
COST GAINS LOSSES VALUE
--------- ---------- ---------- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
DECEMBER 31, 1998
Mortgage-backed securities:
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (FHLMC)
participation certificates..................... $ 1,599 $ 13 $ -- $ 1,612
Federal National Mortgage Association (FNMA)........ 1,367 2 (4) 1,365
Government National Mortgage Association (GNMA)..... 4,324 117 (9) 4,432
Other............................................... 2,632 -- (4) 2,628
------- ---- ----- -------
9,922 132 (17) 10,037
Real estate mortgage investment trusts and
collateralized mortgage obligations:
FHLMC participation certificates.................. 6,279 23 (4) 6,298
FNMA.............................................. 12,248 27 (97) 12,178
Other............................................. 16,531 16 (97) 16,450
------- ---- ----- -------
35,058 66 (198) 34,926
------- ---- ----- -------
$44,980 $198 $(215) $44,963
======= ==== ===== =======
DECEMBER 31, 1997
Mortgage-backed securities:
FHLMC participation certificates.................. $ 1,363 $ -- $ (3) $ 1,360
------- ---- ----- -------
1,363 -- (3) 1,360
Real estate mortgage investment trusts and
collateralized mortgage obligations:
FHLMC participation certificates.................. 12,026 82 (13) 12,095
FNMA.............................................. 13,489 53 (15) 13,527
Other............................................. 331 -- (1) 330
------- ---- ----- -------
25,846 135 (29) 25,952
------- ---- ----- -------
$27,209 $135 $ (32) $27,312
======= ==== ===== =======
</TABLE>
There were no sales of mortgage-backed securities held to maturity in 1998,
1997, or 1996. Gross proceeds from sales of mortgage-backed securities available
for sale during the years ended December 31, 1998, 1997, and 1996 totaled
$9,939,000, $1,299,000, and $6,744,000, respectively; gross realized gains on
these sales of mortgage-backed securities available for sale totaled $233,000
(of which $177,000 is classified as a cumulative effect of a change in
accounting principle), $6,000, and $83,000 in 1998, 1997, and 1996,
respectively.
The Bank's portfolio of privately issued mortgage-backed securities is
backed by mortgages on residential and multifamily properties.
(4) LOANS
The primary goal of the Bank's lending activities is to provide residential
real estate mortgage loans to homeowners in its lending area. The Bank's 14
Community Financial Centers are located in Strongsville, Hinckley, Berea, North
Royalton, Medina Township, Wellington, Parma Heights, Westlake, North
Ridgeville, Brecksville, Broadview Heights, Columbia Station, Avon, and
Brunswick.
F-25
<PAGE> 143
EMERALD FINANCIAL CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 1998, 1997, AND 1996
The composition of the overall loan portfolio is as follows (dollars in
thousands):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DECEMBER 31,
--------------------
1998 1997
-------- --------
<S> <C> <C>
Real estate mortgage loans:
Permanent first mortgage loans:
One-to-four family................................ $358,765 $319,796
Multi-family...................................... 506 924
Commercial........................................ 51,845 52,499
Land.............................................. 621 553
Construction first mortgage loans:
Acquisition and development (residential)......... 88,206 56,217
One-to-four family................................ 41,485 37,413
Multi-family...................................... 375 1,050
Commercial........................................ 8,816 6,879
-------- --------
Total mortgage loans......................... 550,619 475,331
Other loans:
Commercial business.................................. 6,656 5,736
Consumer installment................................. 18,297 15,460
-------- --------
Total other loans............................ 24,953 21,196
-------- --------
Total loans.................................. 575,572 496,527
Less:
Undisbursed portion of loans in process.............. $(43,547) $(30,015)
Deferred loan fees and discounts..................... (4,050) (3,430)
Allowance for loan losses............................ (1,778) (1,625)
-------- --------
(49,375) (35,070)
-------- --------
Total loans held for investment, net......... $526,197 $461,457
======== ========
Real estate mortgage loans held for sale............... $ 5,997 $ 7,916
Less deferred loan fees.............................. (124) (93)
-------- --------
Total loans held for sale, net............... $ 5,873 $ 7,823
======== ========
</TABLE>
Adjustable-rate mortgage and other loans represent $264,683,000 and
$231,202,000 of the loans included in the table above at December 31, 1998 and
1997, respectively.
The Bank sells loans to the secondary market in conjunction with certain
loan programs, to provide funding and as a tool for managing interest rate risk.
Loans are sold to the secondary market without recourse and with servicing
retained. The Bank was servicing loans for investors totaling $265,665,000 and
$225,344,000 at December 31, 1998 and 1997, respectively. Custodial escrow
balances maintained in connection with loans serviced for investors were
$3,377,000 and $1,957,000 at December 31, 1998 and 1997, respectively.
Residential acquisition and development loans are extended to local
builders and developers with whom the Bank has generally had long-standing
business relationships. These loans are secured by land zoned for residential
development located in the Bank's market area.
Under federal regulations, real estate loans to one borrower cannot exceed
15% of unimpaired capital and surplus without a waiver of this requirement from
the OTS. The Bank obtained such a waiver which
F-26
<PAGE> 144
EMERALD FINANCIAL CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 1998, 1997, AND 1996
increases the limit on loans to one borrower for residential real estate to 30%
of unimpaired capital and surplus.
The Bank's commercial real estate loan portfolio includes permanent and
construction loans. Because commercial real estate loans are dependent on income
production or future development for repayment, management believes these loans
present somewhat greater risk of default than conventional mortgage loans. The
Bank's commercial real estate loan portfolio consists of loans collateralized by
property located in the Bank's primary lending area. The Bank's aggregate
commercial real estate loans may not exceed 400% of its core capital. As of
December 31, 1998, the Bank could lend an additional $153,395,000 before
reaching the $214,056,000 limit.
The following table summarizes the Bank's commercial real estate and
commercial construction loan portfolios by type of collateral (dollars in
thousands):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DECEMBER 31, 1998 DECEMBER 31, 1997
----------------- -----------------
AMOUNT % AMOUNT %
------- ------ ------- ------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Permanent:
Industrial/warehouse................................ $11,520 18.99% $ 7,481 12.60%
Retail.............................................. 18,630 30.71 17,973 30.27
Office buildings.................................... 14,110 23.26 18,902 31.83
Churches............................................ 2,171 3.58 1,922 3.24
Other............................................... 5,414 8.93 6,221 10.47
------- ------ ------- ------
$51,845 85.47 $52,499 88.41
Construction:
Retail.............................................. 3,463 5.71 2,600 4.38
Office buildings.................................... 848 1.40 850 1.43
Industrial/warehouse................................ 2,025 3.34 -- --
Churches............................................ 1,780 2.93 -- --
Other............................................... 700 1.15 3,429 5.78
------- ------ ------- ------
8,816 14.53 6,879 11.59
------- ------ ------- ------
$60,661 100.00% $59,378 100.00%
======= ====== ======= ======
</TABLE>
Activity in the allowance for loan losses is as follows (dollars in
thousands):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
--------------------------
1998 1997 1996
------ ------ ------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Balance at beginning of year................................ $1,625 $1,423 $1,168
Provision charged to expense................................ 710 215 305
Loans charged-off........................................... (563) (19) (60)
Recoveries.................................................. 6 6 10
------ ------ ------
$1,778 $1,625 $1,423
====== ====== ======
</TABLE>
F-27
<PAGE> 145
EMERALD FINANCIAL CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 1998, 1997, AND 1996
Nonaccrual loans totaled $1,739,000 and $1,428,000 at December 31, 1998 and
1997, respectively. Interest income that would have been recorded under the
original terms of all nonaccrual loans during each period and the interest
income actually recognized for each period are summarized below (dollars in
thousands):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
-----------------------
1998 1997 1996
----- ----- -----
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Interest income that would have been recorded............... $202 $119 $101
Interest income recognized.................................. 23 112 9
---- ---- ----
Interest income foregone.......................... $179 $ 7 $ 92
==== ==== ====
</TABLE>
The Bank is not committed to lend additional funds to debtors whose loans
have been placed on nonaccrual status.
At December 31, 1998 and 1997, there were no loans which were considered to
be impaired.
(5) PREMISES AND EQUIPMENT
Premises and equipment consist of the following (dollars in thousands):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DECEMBER 31,
----------------
1998 1997
------ ------
<S> <C> <C>
Land........................................................ $ 612 $ 612
Buildings and leasehold improvements........................ 3,703 3,384
Furniture, fixtures, and equipment.......................... 3,918 3,844
------ ------
8,233 7,840
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization.............. 3,285 3,581
------ ------
$4,948 $4,259
====== ======
</TABLE>
Depreciation and amortization expense related to Bank premises and
equipment was $633,000 in 1998; $617,000 in 1997; and $682,000 in 1996.
The Bank has entered into a number of noncancelable operating leases with
respect to office space. Rental expense for all leases was $298,000 in 1998;
$294,000 in 1997; and $251,000 in 1996. The following is a schedule of future
minimum annual lease commitments as of December 31, 1998 (dollars in thousands):
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
1999................................................ $ 304
2000................................................ 272
2001................................................ 265
2002................................................ 266
2003................................................ 266
Thereafter.......................................... 592
------
$1,965
======
</TABLE>
F-28
<PAGE> 146
EMERALD FINANCIAL CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 1998, 1997, AND 1996
(6) DEPOSITS
Deposit account balances are summarized as follows (dollars in thousands):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DECEMBER 31, 1998 DECEMBER 31, 1997
------------------------------ ------------------------------
WEIGHTED WEIGHTED
AVERAGE AVERAGE
RATE AMOUNT % RATE AMOUNT %
------ -------- ------ -------- -------- ------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Passbook accounts...................... 2.78% $ 59,894 10.71 2.93% $ 51,629 9.91
Negotiable order of withdrawal (NOW)... 1.76 37,610 6.73 2.02 33,229 6.52
Checking accounts (non-interest
bearing)............................. -- 1,832 0.33 -- 747 --
Commercial accounts (noninterest
bearing)............................. -- 17,749 3.17 -- 12,992 2.50
Money market deposit accounts.......... 2.27 14,222 2.54 2.53 15,506 2.98
-------- ------ -------- ------
2.02 131,307 23.48 2.27 114,103 21.91
Certificates of deposit
4.50% and less....................... 4.19 27,868 4.98 4.01 26,391 5.07
4.51% to 5.50%....................... 5.32 131,876 23.58 5.38 52,424 10.07
5.51% to 6.50%....................... 5.97 210,366 37.62 6.04 264,388 50.78
6.51% to 7.50%....................... 7.36 50,506 9.03 7.36 55,516 10.66
7.51% and greater.................... 8.96 7,312 1.31 8.92 7,868 1.51
-------- ------ -------- ------
5.87 427,928 76.52 6.06 406,587 78.09
-------- ------ -------- ------
4.96% $559,235 100.00% 5.23% $520,690 100.00%
======== ====== ======== ======
</TABLE>
The maturity periods of certificates of deposit were as follows (dollars in
thousands):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DECEMBER 31, 1998 DECEMBER 31, 1997
------------------ ------------------
AMOUNT % AMOUNT %
-------- ------ -------- ------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Within six months................................... $153,252 35.81% $139,626 34.34%
Six months to one year.............................. 144,069 33.67 119,841 29.48
One to five years................................... 100,065 23.38 115,317 28.36
Over five years..................................... 30,542 7.14 31,803 7.82
-------- ------ -------- ------
$427,928 100.00% $406,587 100.00%
======== ====== ======== ======
</TABLE>
Deposits over $100,000 at December 31, 1998 and 1997, totaled $107,996,000
and $82,306,000, respectively. The Bank does not enter into brokered deposit
arrangements and had no brokered deposits at December 31, 1998 or 1997.
Interest expense on deposits is summarized as follows (dollars in
thousands):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
-----------------------------
1998 1997 1996
------- ------- -------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Passbook accounts........................................... $ 1,596 $ 1,391 $ 1,328
NOW accounts................................................ 621 571 505
Money market deposit accounts............................... 362 413 499
Certificates of deposit..................................... 24,200 24,200 21,184
------- ------- -------
Interest expense.................................. $26,779 $26,575 $23,516
======= ======= =======
</TABLE>
(7) ADVANCES FROM FEDERAL HOME LOAN BANK
Advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) consist of $18.7 million
with a weighted average variable rate of 5.49% and $29.5 million with a weighted
average fixed rate of 5.38% at December 31, 1998
F-29
<PAGE> 147
EMERALD FINANCIAL CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 1998, 1997, AND 1996
and $20.5 million with a weighted average variable rate of 5.90% and $7.6
million with a weighted average fixed rate of 6.84% at December 31, 1997.
Although individual loans are not specifically pledged, the FHLB requires
that the Bank have mortgage loans which are, among other things, clear of
pledges, liens, and encumbrances and equal to at least 150% of the advances from
the FHLB amounting to $72,347,264. The stock of the FHLB owned by the Bank is
also pledged as collateral for these borrowings.
Scheduled payments on FHLB advances at December 31, 1998 are as follows
(dollars in thousands):
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
1999............................................... $ 1,294
2000............................................... 19,380
2001............................................... 1,558
2002............................................... 3,000
2003............................................... --
Beyond............................................. 23,000
-------
$48,232
=======
</TABLE>
(8) FEDERAL INCOME TAXES
Emerald and its wholly owned Subsidiaries file a consolidated federal
income tax return. A summary of the provision for federal income taxes is as
follows (dollars in thousands):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
--------------------------
1998 1997 1996
------ ------ ------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Current.......................................... $3,344 $3,039 $1,790
Deferred......................................... 248 131 151
Cumulative effect adjustment..................... 60 -- --
------ ------ ------
Total.................................. $3,652 $3,170 $1,941
====== ====== ======
</TABLE>
A reconciliation between the expected income tax expense (benefit) using
the statutory federal rate and the actual consolidated income tax provision
follows (dollars in thousands):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
--------------------------------------------------------
1998 1997 1996
---------------- ---------------- ----------------
% OF % OF % OF
PRETAX PRETAX PRETAX
AMOUNT INCOME AMOUNT INCOME AMOUNT INCOME
------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Tax expense at statutory rate........... $3,993 35.0% $3,259 35.0% $1,921 35.0%
Other................................... (341) (3.0) (89) (1.0) 20 .4
------ ---- ------ ---- ------ ----
$3,652 32.0% $3,170 34.0% $1,941 35.4%
====== ==== ====== ==== ====== ====
</TABLE>
F-30
<PAGE> 148
EMERALD FINANCIAL CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 1998, 1997, AND 1996
The Company's net deferred tax liability is as follows (dollars in
thousands):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1998 1997
------ ------
<S> <C> <C>
Deferred tax assets:
Loan loss allowances...................................... $ 662 $ 608
Other..................................................... 92 54
------ ------
Total deferred tax assets......................... 754 662
Deferred tax liabilities:
Deferred loan fees........................................ 790 645
FHLB stock dividends...................................... 575 486
Mortgage servicing rights................................. 116 115
Bad debt reserves over base year reserves................. 918 1,102
Depreciation and amortization............................. 230 168
Other..................................................... 36 21
------ ------
Total deferred tax liabilities.................... 2,665 2,537
------ ------
Net deferred tax liability........................ $1,911 $1,875
====== ======
</TABLE>
Retained earnings include $2,383,000 at December 31, 1998 for which no
provision for federal income taxes has been made. This amount represents
allocations of income during years prior to 1988 to bad debt deductions for tax
purposes only. These qualifying and nonqualifying base year reserves and
supplemental reserves will be recaptured into income in the event of certain
distributions and redemptions. Such recapture would create income for tax
purposes only, which would be subject to the then current corporate income tax
rate. Recapture would not occur upon the reorganization, merger, or acquisition
of the Bank, nor if the Bank is merged or liquidated tax-free into a bank or
undergoes a charter change. If the Bank fails to qualify as a bank or merges
into a nonbank entity, these reserves will be recaptured into income.
The favorable reserve method previously afforded to thrifts was repealed
for tax years beginning after December 31, 1995. Large thrifts were switched to
the specific charge-off method of Section 166. In general, a thrift is required
to recapture the amount of its qualifying and nonqualifying reserves in excess
of its qualifying and nonqualifying base year reserves. As the Bank has
previously provided deferred taxes on the recapture amount, no additional
financial statement tax expense will result from the recapture.
F-31
<PAGE> 149
EMERALD FINANCIAL CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 1998, 1997, AND 1996
(9) LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN
Options have been granted under the Emerald Financial Corp. 1994 Long-Term
Incentive Plan (Plan) and the Emerald Financial Corp. 1998 Stock Option and
Incentive Plan to key employees and directors of the Bank. Options awarded under
the Plans are vested over a one to ten year schedule after the date granted.
Following is activity under the plans during the years ended December 31, 1998,
1997, and 1996:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1998 1997 1996
--------- ------- -------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Options outstanding, beginning of year...................... 978,000 836,000 836,000
Exercised at $4.56 per share................................ (88,088) -- --
Exercised at $4.82 per share................................ (50,000) (22,000) --
Exercised at $7.13 per share................................ (4,100) -- --
Forfeited................................................... -- -- --
Granted..................................................... 345,000 164,000 --
--------- ------- -------
Options outstanding, end of year.................. 1,180,812 978,000 836,000
========= ======= =======
Exercisable at $13.31 per share, expiring 4/18/2003......... 4,000 -- --
Exercisable at $13.31 per share, expiring 4/18/2008......... 341,000 -- --
Exercisable at $4.82 per share, expiring 10/18/2004......... 84,000 134,000 156,000
Exercisable at $7.13 per share, expiring 6/1/2007........... 159,900 164,000 --
Exercisable at $4.56 per share, expiring 1/11/99............ 16,000 16,000 16,000
Exercisable at $4.56 per share, expiring 1/11/2004.......... 575,912 664,000 664,000
--------- ------- -------
1,180,812 978,000 836,000
========= ======= =======
Options available for grant, end of year.......... 155,000 -- 164,000
========= ======= =======
</TABLE>
SFAS No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation, encourages, but does
not require, adoption of a fair-value-based accounting method for employee
stock-based compensation arrangements and was effective January 1, 1996.
Management has elected to continue to use the Accounting Principles Board
Opinion 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees, intrinsic value method for
measurement and recognition of stock-based compensation. Accordingly, no
compensation cost has been recognized. Had compensation cost for the Company's
plan been determined consistent with SFAS 123, the Company's net income and
earnings per share would have been reduced to the pro forma amounts indicated
below (in thousands, except per share amounts):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1998 1997 1996
------ ------ ------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Net income:
As reported.................................... $7,756 $6,141 $3,548
Pro forma...................................... 6,900 5,832 3,310
Earnings per common shares:
Basic:
As reported................................. 0.76 0.61 0.35
Pro forma................................... 0.67 0.58 0.33
Diluted:
As reported................................. 0.72 0.59 0.35
Pro forma................................... 0.64 0.56 0.33
</TABLE>
The fair value for each option grant used in the foregoing pro forma
amounts is estimated on the date of grant using an option pricing model. The
model incorporates the following weighted-average assumptions
F-32
<PAGE> 150
EMERALD FINANCIAL CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 1998, 1997, AND 1996
used for grants in 1998, 1997, and 1996; 2.0% dividend growth; 37.0% to 61.0%
expected volatility; risk-free interest rates ranging from 5.03% to 7.71%; and
expected lives ranging from five to ten years.
(10) EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
The Bank has a profit-sharing retirement plan covering substantially all
employees, to which the Bank makes discretionary contributions as determined
annually by its Board of Directors. Contributions were $242,000 in 1998;
$144,000 in 1997; and $139,000 in 1996.
The Bank also has a qualified, tax-exempt profit-sharing plan with a cash
or deferred feature qualifying under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue
Code; under this plan, the Bank provides matching contributions of up to 3% of
qualifying employees' annual eligible compensation. The Bank's contributions
were $91,000 in 1998; $88,000 in 1997; and $79,000 in 1996.
In addition, the Bank has a nonqualified, Supplemental Executive Retirement
Plan (SERP) that provides certain officers with retirement benefits. SERP
pension costs charged to noninterest expense amounted to $75,000 in 1997 and
$100,000 in 1996. No SERP pension costs were charged to noninterest expense in
1998.
(11) SAVINGS ASSOCIATION INSURANCE FUND ASSESSMENT
On September 30, 1996, the Omnibus Appropriations Bill was enacted which
imposed a special assessment on Savings Association Insurance Fund (SAIF)
deposits held as of March 31, 1995, to recapitalize the SAIF. Therefore, the
Bank recorded a one-time pretax charge of $2,481,000 representing the special
assessment of 65.7 basis points on the Bank's deposits held as of March 31,
1995. This assessment was deductible for tax purposes on the Bank's fiscal year
1996 federal income tax return.
(12) REGULATORY MATTERS
Office of Thrift Supervision regulations require savings institutions to
maintain certain minimum levels of regulatory capital. An institution that fails
to comply with its regulatory capital requirements must obtain OTS approval of a
capital plan and can be subject to a capital directive and certain restrictions
on its operations. At December 31, 1998, the minimum regulatory capital
regulations require institutions to have tangible capital equal to 1.5% of
adjusted total assets, a 4% leverage capital ratio, and an 8% risk-based capital
ratio. At December 31, 1998, the Bank exceeded all of the aforementioned
regulatory capital requirements.
The prompt corrective action regulations of the Federal Deposit Insurance
Corporation define specific capital categories based on an institution's capital
ratios. The capital categories, in declining order, are "well capitalized,"
"adequately capitalized," "undercapitalized," "significantly undercapitalized,"
and "critically undercapitalized." To be considered "well capitalized," an
institution must generally have a leverage ratio of at least 5%, a Tier 1
risk-based capital ratio of at least 6%, and a total risk-based capital ratio of
at least 10%.
F-33
<PAGE> 151
EMERALD FINANCIAL CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 1998, 1997, AND 1996
At December 31, 1998 and 1997, the Bank was in compliance with regulatory
capital requirements and is considered "well capitalized" as set forth below
(dollars in thousands):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
TIER 1 TOTAL
CORE/ RISK- RISK-
EQUITY TANGIBLE LEVERAGE BASED BASED
CAPITAL CAPITAL CAPITAL CAPITAL CAPITAL
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
DECEMBER 31, 1998
GAAP capital............................ $ 53,869 $ 53,869 $ 53,869 $ 53,869 $ 53,869
Goodwill................................ (552) (552) (552) (552)
Unrealized losses on securities
available
for sale.............................. 197 197 197 197
General valuation allowances............ -- -- -- 1,778
-------- -------- -------- --------
Regulatory capital...................... 53,514 53,514 53,514 55,292
Total regulatory assets................. 667,667
--------
Adjusted total assets................... 667,414 667,414
-------- --------
Risk-weighted assets.................... 438,842 438,842
-------- --------
Capital ratio........................... 8.07% 8.02% 8.02% 12.19% 12.60%
Regulatory requirement.................. 1.50% 4.00% 8.00%
Regulatory capital category.............
Well capitalized -- equal to or greater
than.................................. 5.00% 6.00% 10.00%
DECEMBER 31, 1997
GAAP capital............................ 47,324 47,324 47,324 47,324 47,324
Goodwill................................ (663) (663) (663) (663)
Unrealized gains on securities available
for sale.............................. (61) (61) (61) (61)
General valuation allowances............ -- -- -- 1,625
-------- -------- -------- --------
Regulatory capital...................... 46,600 46,600 46,600 48,225
Total regulatory assets................. 602,910
--------
Adjusted total assets................... 602,155 602,155
-------- --------
Risk-weighted assets.................... 375,289 375,289
-------- --------
Capital ratio........................... 7.85% 7.74% 7.74% 12.42% 12.85%
Regulatory requirement.................. 1.50% 3.00% 8.00%
Regulatory capital category.............
Well capitalized -- equal to or greater
than.................................. 5.00% 6.00% 10.00%
</TABLE>
Management believes, as of December 31, 1998, that the Bank meets all
capital requirements to which it is subject. Events beyond management's control,
such as fluctuations in interest rates or a downturn in the economy in areas in
which the Bank's loans and securities are concentrated, could adversely affect
future earnings and, consequently, the Bank's ability to meet its future capital
requirements.
(13) FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
The following disclosure of the estimated fair value of financial
instruments is made in accordance with the requirements of SFAS No. 107,
Disclosures About Fair Value of Financial Instruments. The estimated fair value
amounts have been determined by the Bank using available market information and
appropriate valuation methodologies. However, considerable judgment is
necessarily required to interpret market data to develop the estimates of fair
value. Accordingly, the estimates presented herein are not necessarily
indicative
F-34
<PAGE> 152
EMERALD FINANCIAL CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 1998, 1997, AND 1996
of the amounts the Bank could realize in a current market exchange. The use of
different market assumptions and/or estimation methodologies may have a material
effect on the estimated fair value amounts.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DECEMBER 31, 1998 DECEMBER 31, 1997
-------------------- --------------------
ESTIMATED ESTIMATED
CARRYING FAIR CARRYING FAIR
AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
-------- --------- -------- ---------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Financial assets:
Cash and cash equivalents........................... $ 10,042 $ 10,042 $ 10,762 $ 10,762
Investment securities:
Held to maturity................................. 4,694 4,603 14,231 14,037
Available for sale............................... 46,499 46,499 32,465 32,465
Mortgage-backed securities:
Held to maturity................................. -- -- 25,825 26,416
Available for sale............................... 44,963 44,963 27,312 27,312
Loans held for investment, net...................... 526,197 529,474 461,457 458,525
Loans held for sale................................. 5,873 5,892 7,823 7,852
Accrued interest receivable......................... 3,449 3,449 3,343 3,343
Federal Home Loan Bank stock........................ 3,823 3,823 3,504 3,504
Financial liabilities:
Deposits............................................ 559,235 563,731 520,690 521,211
Advances from Federal Home Loan Bank................ 48,232 47,781 28,138 28,178
Advance payments by borrowers for taxes and
insurance........................................ 1,847 1,847 1,574 1,574
Accrued interest payable............................ 861 861 1,002 1,002
</TABLE>
The fair value estimates are based on the following methods and
assumptions:
- CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, ACCRUED INTEREST RECEIVABLE, ADVANCE PAYMENTS
BY BORROWERS FOR TAXES AND INSURANCE, AND ACCRUED INTEREST PAYABLE. The
carrying amounts approximate their fair value.
- INVESTMENT SECURITIES AND MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES. Fair values for
securities are based on quoted market prices or dealer quotes; where such
quotes are not available, fair values are based on quoted market prices
of comparable instruments.
- LOANS HELD FOR INVESTMENT. The fair values of loans receivable are
estimated using a discounted cash flow calculation that applies estimated
discount rates reflecting the credit and interest rate risk inherent in
the loans to homogeneous categories of loans with similar financial
characteristics; these loan categories are further segmented into fixed
and adjustable rate interest terms.
- LOANS HELD FOR SALE. Fair values are based on actual sales prices for
loans subject to sales commitments; fair values of loans not subject to
sales commitments are based on the market price of loans with similar
characteristics.
- FEDERAL HOME LOAN BANK STOCK. This item is valued at cost, which
represents redemption value and approximates fair value.
- DEPOSITS. The fair values of fixed maturity certificate accounts are
estimated using a discounted cash flow calculation that applies interest
rates currently offered for deposits of similar remaining maturities. The
fair values of other deposit accounts (passbook, NOW, and money market
accounts) equal their carrying values (i.e., the amount payable on demand
at the reporting date).
F-35
<PAGE> 153
EMERALD FINANCIAL CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 1998, 1997, AND 1996
- ADVANCES FROM FEDERAL HOME LOAN BANK. The fair value of FHLB advances is
estimated by discounting future cash flows at rates currently available
for borrowings with similar terms and remaining maturities.
- OFF-BALANCE SHEET FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS. The fair value of commitments is
estimated using the fees currently charged to enter similar agreements,
taking into account the remaining terms of the agreements and the
counterparties' credit standing. For fixed-rate loan commitments, fair
value also considers the difference between current levels of interest
rates and the committed rates. The fair value of undisbursed lines of
credit is based on fees currently charged for similar agreements or on
estimated cost to terminate them or otherwise settle the obligations with
the counterparties at the reporting date. The carrying amount and fair
value of off-balance sheet instruments is not significant as of December
31, 1998 and 1997.
(14) COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
In the normal course of business, the Bank enters into commitments with
off-balance sheet risk to meet the financing needs of its customers. Commitments
to extend credit involve elements of credit risk and interest rate risk in
excess of the amount recognized in the consolidated statements of financial
condition. The Bank's exposure to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by
the other party to the commitment is represented by the contractual amount of
the commitment. The Bank uses the same credit policies in making commitments as
it does for on-balance sheet instruments. Interest rate risk on commitments to
extend credit results from the possibility that interest rates may have moved
unfavorably from the position of the Bank since the time the commitment was
made.
Commitments to extend credit are agreements to lend to a customer as long
as there is no violation of any condition established in the contract.
Commitments generally have fixed expiration dates of 60 days or other
termination clauses and may require payment of a fee. Since some of the
commitments may expire without being drawn upon, the total commitment amounts do
not necessarily represent future cash requirements.
The Bank evaluates each customer's creditworthiness on a case-by-case
basis. The amount of collateral obtained by the Bank upon extension of credit is
based on management's credit evaluation of the applicant. Collateral held is
generally residential and commercial real estate.
The Bank's lending is concentrated in northeastern Ohio; as a result, the
economic conditions and market for real estate in northeastern Ohio could have a
significant impact on the Bank.
At December 31, 1998, the Bank had commitments to lend $47,356,000, of
which $16,173,000 were for adjustable-rate loans and $31,183,000 were for
fixed-rate loans. At December 31, 1997, the Bank had commitments to lend
$29,974,000, of which $14,492,000 were for adjustable-rate loans and $15,482,000
were for fixed-rate loans. Adjustable-rate loans generally reprice with the
prime rate or the one- or three-year constant maturity treasury rate. The
interest rates and fees associated with these commitments were prevailing at the
time applications were taken. In management's opinion, these loans will be
funded through normal operations.
There were no commitments to sell any loans at either December 31, 1998 or
1997.
As of December 31, 1998 and 1997, the Bank had line-of-credit commitments
totaling $14,528,000 and $8,175,000, respectively. Commitments generally are
extended at prime-sensitive interest rates and are secured by real estate.
F-36
<PAGE> 154
EMERALD FINANCIAL CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 1998, 1997, AND 1996
There are pending against the Bank various lawsuits and claims which arise
in the normal course of business. In the opinion of management, any liabilities
that may result from pending lawsuits and claims will not materially affect the
consolidated financial position of the Bank.
(15) PARENT COMPANY ONLY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The condensed statements of financial condition as of December 31, 1998 and
1997, and related condensed statements of income and cash flows for the year
ended December 31, 1998 and the period from March 6, 1997 through December 31,
1997 for Emerald Financial Corp. should be read in conjunction with the
consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto (dollars in thousands).
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DECEMBER 31,
------------------
1998 1997
------- -------
<S> <C> <C>
CONDENSED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
Assets:
Cash...................................................... $ 106 $ 77
Securities available for sale............................. 5,485 5,372
Note receivable........................................... -- 85
Equity in net assets of the Bank.......................... 53,869 47,324
Interest receivable on investments........................ 45 104
Other assets.............................................. 63 83
------- -------
Total assets...................................... $59,568 $53,045
======= =======
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DECEMBER 31,
------------------
1998 1997
------- -------
<S> <C> <C>
Liabilities and shareholders' equity:
Other liabilities......................................... $ 114 $ 130
Notes payable............................................. 4,670 4,400
Shareholders' equity...................................... 54,784 48,515
------- -------
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity........ $59,568 $53,045
======= =======
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PERIOD FROM
YEAR ENDED MARCH 6, 1997 TO
DECEMBER 31, DECEMBER 31,
1998 1997
------------ ----------------
<S> <C> <C>
CONDENSED STATEMENT OF INCOME
Income:
Equity in earnings of the Bank............................ $7,491 $6,175
Interest income........................................... 462 328
Gain on sale of securities available for sale............. 575 --
------ ------
Total income...................................... 8,528 6,503
------ ------
Expenses:
Interest.................................................. 365 268
Other..................................................... 247 133
------ ------
Total expenses.................................... 612 401
------ ------
Income before federal income taxes..................... 7,916 6,102
Federal income tax benefit (expense)........................ (160) 39
------ ------
Net income............................................. $7,756 $6,141
====== ======
</TABLE>
F-37
<PAGE> 155
EMERALD FINANCIAL CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 1998, 1997, AND 1996
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PERIOD FROM
YEAR ENDED MARCH 6, 1997 TO
DECEMBER 31, DECEMBER 31,
1998 1997
------------ ----------------
<S> <C> <C>
CONDENSED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income................................................ $ 7,756 $ 6,141
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used in
operating activities:
Equity in earnings of the Bank....................... (7,491) (6,175)
Gain on sale of securities available for sale........ (575) --
Amortization and accretion........................... 20 18
Deferred federal income taxes........................ 80 (80)
(Decrease) increase in liabilities................... (12) 102
Change in accrued interest receivable and payable.... 58 (104)
Other, net........................................... 83 (104)
------- -------
Net cash used in operating activities............. (81) (202)
------- -------
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchase of securities available for sale................. (4,749) (5,137)
Proceeds from sale of securities available for sale....... 4,975 --
Dividend from the Bank.................................... 970 2,180
------- -------
Net cash provided by investing activities......... 1,196 (2,957)
------- -------
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from borrowings.................................. 270 4,425
Repayment of borrowings................................... -- (80)
Dividend paid............................................. (2,004) (1,215)
Proceeds from stock options exercised..................... 672 106
Proceeds from shares issued under DRIP.................... 243 --
Purchase of treasury shares............................... (267) --
------- -------
Net cash provided by financing activities......... (1,086) 3,236
------- -------
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents......... 29 77
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period............ 77 --
------- -------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period.................. $ 106 $ 77
======= =======
</TABLE>
(16) SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
The Bank paid dividends of $2,004,000 in 1998; $1,215,000 in 1997; and
$1,190,000 in 1996. The Bank's ability to make capital distributions is
restricted by Office of Thrift Supervision (OTS) regulations. As a Tier 1
Association under OTS regulations, the Bank is granted the greatest flexibility
in capital distributions; the Bank is authorized to distribute the greater of
(1) 100% of year-to-date net income plus 50% of excess capital at the beginning
of the year or (2) 75% of net income over the most recent four-quarter period.
Dividend payments were limited to $17,583,000 at December 31, 1998.
On May 15, 1998, the Company declared a two-for-one stock split in the form
of a 100% common stock dividend payable May 15, 1998 to stockholders of record
as of May 1, 1998. The stock split increased the Company's outstanding common
shares from 5.1 million to 10.2 million shares. Shareholders' equity has been
restated to give retroactive recognition to the stock split for all periods
presented. In addition, all references in the consolidated financial statements
and notes thereto to number of shares, per-share amounts, stock option data, and
market prices of the Company's common stock have been restated giving
retroactive recognition to the stock split.
F-38
<PAGE> 156
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
Section 1701.13(E) of the Ohio Revised Code provides that a corporation may
indemnify or agree to indemnify any person who was or is a party, or is
threatened to be made a party, to any threatened, pending, or completed action,
suit, or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative, or investigative,
other than an action by or in the right of the corporation, by reason of the
fact that he is or was a director, officer, employee, or agent of the
corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a
director, trustee, officer, employee, member, manager, or agent of another
corporation, domestic or foreign, nonprofit or for profit, a limited liability
company, or a partnership, joint venture, trust, or other enterprise, against
expenses, including attorney's fees, judgments, fines, and amounts paid in
settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with such
action, suit, or proceeding, if he acted in good faith and in a manner he
reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the
corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, if he had
no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful.
The termination of any action, suit, or proceeding by judgment, order,
settlement, or conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent,
shall not, of itself, create a presumption that the person did not act in good
faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best
interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or
proceeding, that he had reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was
unlawful. Section 1701.13(E)(2) further specifies that a corporation may
indemnify or agree to indemnify any person who was or is a party, or is
threatened to be made a party, to any threatened, pending, or completed action
or suit by or in the right of the corporation to procure a judgment in its
favor, by reason of the fact that he is or was a director, officer, employee, or
agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation
as a director, trustee, officer, employee, member, manager, or agent of another
corporation, domestic or foreign, nonprofit or for profit, a limited liability
company, or a partnership, joint venture, trust, or other enterprise, against
expenses, including attorney's fees, actually and reasonably incurred by him in
connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit, if he acted in
good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the
best interests of the corporation, except that no indemnification shall be made
in respect of (a) any claim, issue, or matter as to which such person shall have
been adjudged to be liable for negligence or misconduct in the performance of
his duty to the corporation unless, and only to the extent, that the court of
common pleas or the court in which such action or suit was brought determines,
upon application, that, despite the adjudication of liability, but in view of
all the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled
to indemnity for such expenses as the court of common pleas or such other court
shall deem proper, and (b) any action or suit in which the only liability
asserted against a director is pursuant to Section 1701.95 of the Ohio Revised
Code concerning unlawful loans, dividends and distribution of assets.
In addition, Section 1701.13(E) requires a corporation to pay any expenses,
including attorney's fees, of a director in defending an action, suit, or
proceeding referred to above as they are incurred, in advance of the final
disposition of the action, suit, or proceeding, upon receipt of an undertaking
by or on behalf of the director in which he agrees to both (1) repay such amount
if it is proved by clear and convincing evidence that his action or failure to
act involved an act or omission undertaken with deliberate intent to cause
injury to the corporation or undertaken with reckless disregard for the best
interests of the corporation and (2) reasonably cooperate with the corporation
concerning the action, suit, or proceeding. The indemnification provided by
Section 1701.13(E) shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which
those seeking indemnification may be entitled under the articles of
incorporation or code of regulations of Fifth Third.
The code of regulations of Fifth Third provides that Fifth Third shall
indemnify each director and each officer of Fifth Third, and each person
employed by Fifth Third who serves at the written request of the President of
Fifth Third as a director, trustee, officer, employee or agent of another
corporation, domestic or foreign, nonprofit or for profit, to the full extent
permitted by Ohio law. Fifth Third may indemnify assistant officers, employees
and others by action of the Board of Directors to the extent permitted by Ohio
law.
Fifth Third carries directors' and officers' liability insurance coverage
which insures its directors and officers and the directors and officers of its
subsidiaries in certain circumstances.
II-1
<PAGE> 157
EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PAGE NUMBER IN
SEQUENTIAL
DOCUMENT EXHIBIT NUMBERING SYSTEM
- -------- ------- ---------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Affiliation Agreement (excluding exhibits) dated as of
February 27, 1999 by and between Fifth Third Bancorp and
Emerald Financial Corp. 2.1 Included in Annex A
Shareholder Support Agreement dated February 27, 1999
between Fifth Third Bancorp and Mrs. Joan Dzurilla 2.2 Included in Annex E
Seconded Amended Articles of Incorporation of Fifth Third Incorporated by
Bancorp, as amended 3.1 Reference (1)
Code of Regulations of Fifth Third Bancorp, as amended Incorporated by
3.2 Reference (2)
Form of opinion of counsel employed by Fifth Third Bancorp
as to the legality of the securities being issued 5
Form of opinion of Graydon, Head & Ritchey as to tax matters 8
Form of Employment Agreement between Fifth Third Bank,
Northwestern Ohio, N.A. and Thomas P. Perciak 10.1 (3)
Form of Employment Agreement between Fifth Third Bank,
Northwestern Ohio, N.A. and John F. Ziegler 10.2 (3)
1998 Annual Report to Shareholders of Fifth Third Bancorp Incorporated by
13.1 Reference
Subsidiaries of Fifth Third Bancorp Incorporated by
21 Reference (4)
Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP (as to Fifth Third) 23.1
Consent of KPMG LLP 23.2
Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP (as to Emerald) 23.3
Consent of McDonald Investments Inc. 23.4 Included in Annex B
Consent of counsel employed by Fifth Third Bancorp 23.5 Included in Exhibit 5
Consent of Graydon, Head & Ritchey 23.6 Included in Exhibit 8
A power of attorney where various individuals authorize the
signing of their names to any and all amendments to this
registration statement and other documents submitted in
connection herewith is contained on the first page of the
signature pages following Part II of this registration
statement 24
Form of Fairness Opinion of McDonald Investments Inc. (set
forth in Annex B to the proxy statement/prospectus included
in this registration statement) 99.1 Included in Annex B
Form of Proxy Card for Annual Meeting 99.2
Form of Proxy Card for Special Meeting 99.3
Form of Letter to Emerald Shareholders 99.4
Form of Notice of Annual Meeting of Emerald Shareholders 99.5
Form of Notice of Special Meeting of Emerald Shareholders 99.6
Form of Acquiring Person Statement (set forth in Annex D to
the proxy statement/prospectus including this registration
statement) 99.7 Included in Annex D
</TABLE>
- ---------------
(1) Incorporated by reference to the Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
for the quarter ended March 31, 1999.
(2) Filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as an exhibit to a
registration statement on Form S-4, Registration No. 33-63966.
(3) To be filed with an amendment to this registration statement.
(4) Incorporated by reference to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K
filed for the year ended December 31, 1998.
II-2
<PAGE> 158
UNDERTAKINGS
(1) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of
determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the
registrant's annual report pursuant to section 13(a) or section 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an
employee benefit plan's annual report pursuant to section 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the
registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement
relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities
at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(2) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes as follows: that prior to
any public reoffering of the securities registered hereunder through use of a
prospectus which is part of this registration statement, by any person or party
who is deemed to be an underwriter within the meaning of Rule 145(c), the issuer
undertakes that such reoffering prospectus will contain the information called
for by the applicable registration form with respect to reofferings by persons
who may be deemed underwriters, in addition to the information called for by the
other Items of the applicable form.
(3) The registrant undertakes that every prospectus (i) that is filed
pursuant to paragraph (2) immediately preceding, or (ii) that purports to meet
the requirements of section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933 and is used
in connection with an offering of securities subject to Rule 415, will be filed
as a part of an amendment to the registration statement and will not be used
until such amendment is effective, and that, for purposes of determining any
liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment
shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities
offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be
deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(4) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities
Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of
the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the
registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange
Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the
Securities Act of 1933 and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a
claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by
the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or
controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action,
suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person
in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless
in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling
precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether
such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the
Securities Act of 1933 and will be governed by the final adjudication of such
issue.
(5) The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes to supply by means of a
post-effective amendment all information concerning a transaction, and the
company being acquired involved therein, that was not the subject of and
included in the registration statement when it became effective.
(6) The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes to deliver or cause to be
delivered with the prospectus, to each person to whom the prospectus is sent or
given, the latest annual report to security holders that is incorporated by
reference in the prospectus and furnished pursuant to and meeting the
requirements of Rule 14a-3 or Rule 14c-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of
1934; and, where interim financial information required to be presented by
Article 3 of Regulation S-X are not set forth in the prospectus, to deliver, or
cause to be delivered to each person to whom the prospectus is sent or given,
the latest quarterly report that is specifically incorporated by reference in
the prospectus to provide such interim financial information.
(7) The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes to respond to requests for
information that is incorporated by reference into the prospectus pursuant to
Items 4, 10(b), 11 or 13 of this Form within one business day of receipt of such
request, and to send the incorporated documents by first class mail or other
equally prompt means. This includes information contained in documents filed
subsequent to the effective date of the registration statement through the date
of responding to the request.
II-3
<PAGE> 159
(8) The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:
(a) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being
made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:
(i) To include any prospectus required by section 10 (a)(3) of the
Securities Act of 1933;
(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after
the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent
post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the
aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth
in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any
increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total
dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was
registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated
maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of a prospectus
filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424 (b) if, in the aggregate,
the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20 percent
change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the
"Calculation of Registration Fee" table in the effective registration
statement;
(iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan
of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement
or any material change to such information in the registration
statement;
Provided, however, that paragraphs (8) (a) (i) and (8)(a)(ii) do not apply
if the registration statement is on Form S-3, Form S-8 or Form F-3, and the
information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those
paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed with or furnished to the
Commission by the Registrant pursuant to section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the registration
statement.
(b) That, for the purpose of determining liability under the
Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed
to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered
therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed
to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(c) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment
any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the
termination of the offering.
II-4
<PAGE> 160
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant
certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all the
requirements for filing on Form S-4, and has duly caused this Registration
Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized, in the City of Cincinnati, State of Ohio, on April 28, 1999.
FIFTH THIRD BANCORP
/s/ GEORGE A. SCHAEFER, JR.
--------------------------------------
By: George A. Schaefer, Jr.
President and Chief Executive Officer
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears
below constitutes and appoints GEORGE A. SCHAEFER, JR., his true and lawful
attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution and resubstitution,
for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign and
execute on behalf of the undersigned any and all amendments (including
post-effective amendments) to this Registration Statement (and to any
Registration Statement filed pursuant to Rule 462 under the Securities Act), and
to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection
therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said
attorney-in-fact and agent full power and authority to do and perform each and
every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in connection with any
such amendments, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in
person, and does hereby ratify and confirm all that said attorney-in-fact and
agent, or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by
virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities and on the dates indicated.
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Principal Executive Officer:
/s/ GEORGE A. SCHAEFER, JR. Date: April 28, 1999
- ------------------------------------
George A. Schaefer, Jr.
President and Chief Executive
Officer
Principal Financial Officer:
/s/ NEAL E. ARNOLD Date: April 28, 1999
- ------------------------------------
Neal E. Arnold
Chief Financial Officer, Executive
Vice President and Treasurer
Principal Accounting Officer:
/s/ ROGER W. DEAN Date: April 28, 1999
- ------------------------------------
Roger W. Dean
Controller
Directors of the Company:
/s/ DARRYL F. ALLEN Date: April 28, 1999
- ------------------------------------
Darryl F. Allen
/s/ JOHN F. BARRETT Date: April 28, 1999
- ------------------------------------
John F. Barrett
/s/ GERALD V. DIRVIN Date: April 28, 1999
- ------------------------------------
Gerald V. Dirvin
</TABLE>
II-5
<PAGE> 161
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
/s/ THOMAS B. DONNELL Date: April 28, 1999
- ---------------------------------------------
Thomas B. Donnell
- --------------------------------------------- Date:
Richard T. Farmer
/s/ JOSEPH H. HEAD, JR. Date: April 28, 1999
- ---------------------------------------------
Joseph H. Head, Jr.
/s/ JOAN R. HERSCHEDE Date: April 28, 1999
- ---------------------------------------------
Joan R. Herschede
- --------------------------------------------- Date:
Allen M. Hill
- --------------------------------------------- Date:
William G. Kagler
/s/ JAMES D. KIGGEN Date: April 28, 1999
- ---------------------------------------------
James D. Kiggen
/s/ JERRY L. KIRBY Date: April 28, 1999
- ---------------------------------------------
Jerry L. Kirby
/s/ MITCHEL D. LIVINGSTON Date: April 28, 1999
- ---------------------------------------------
Mitchel D. Livingston, Ph.D.
- --------------------------------------------- Date:
Robert B. Morgan
/s/ DAVID E. REESE Date: April 28, 1999
- ---------------------------------------------
David E. Reese
- --------------------------------------------- Date:
James E. Rogers
- --------------------------------------------- Date:
Brian H. Rowe
/s/ GEORGE A. SCHAEFER, JR. Date: April 28, 1999
- ---------------------------------------------
George A. Schaefer, Jr.
/s/ JOHN J. SCHIFF, JR. Date: April 28, 1999
- ---------------------------------------------
John J. Schiff, Jr.
/s/ DONALD B. SHACKELFORD Date: April 28, 1999
- ---------------------------------------------
Donald B. Shackelford
- --------------------------------------------- Date:
Dennis J. Sullivan, Jr.
/s/ DUDLEY S. TAFT Date: April 28, 1999
- ---------------------------------------------
Dudley S. Taft
</TABLE>
II-6
<PAGE> 1
Exhibit 5
FIFTH THIRD BANCORP
____________, 1999
Fifth Third Bancorp
38 Fountain Square Plaza
Cincinnati, Ohio 45263
Re: Issuance of ___________ Shares of Common Stock of Fifth Third
Bancorp Pursuant to Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File
No. 333-_____) Filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
Gentlemen:
I have acted as counsel to Fifth Third Bancorp, an Ohio corporation (the
"Company"), in connection with the issuance of up to __________ shares of Common
Stock pursuant to the merger of Emerald Financial Corp. with and into the
Company (the "Merger"), as set forth in the Form S-4 Registration Statement
(File No. 333-_____), as amended (the "Registration Statement"), filed by the
Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
As counsel for the Company I have made such legal and factual
examinations and inquiries as I have deem advisable for the purpose of rendering
this opinion. In addition, I have examined such documents and materials,
including the Articles of Incorporation, Code of Regulations, and other
corporate records of the Company, as I have deemed necessary for the purpose of
this opinion.
On the basis of the foregoing, I express the opinion that the __________
shares of Common Stock of the Company registered for issuance pursuant to the
Registration Statement, or such lesser number of Shares as may be actually
issued by the Company in connection with the Merger and/or the acquisition,
currently are validly authorized and, when issued as contemplated by the
Registration Statement, will be legally issued, fully paid and nonassessable
shares of Common Stock of the Company.
I hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as part of the
above-referenced Registration Statement and amendments thereto and to the
reference to me in the Prospectus Information Statement under the caption "Legal
Matters."
Very truly yours,
FIFTH THIRD BANCORP
By: ____________________________________
Paul L. Reynolds, Counsel
<PAGE> 1
Exhibit 8
_________________, 1999
Fifth Third Bancorp
38 Fountain Square Plaza
Cincinnati, OH 45263
Emerald Financial Corp.
14092 Pearl Road
Strongsville, Ohio 44136
RE: Proxy Statement of Emerald Financial Corp. and Prospectus of
Fifth Third Bancorp
Dear Sirs:
We have acted as counsel to Fifth Third Bancorp in connection with the
Registration Statement on Form S-4, relating to the registration of __________
shares of Fifth Third Bancorp to be issued in the merger pursuant to the
affiliation agreement by and between Fifth Third Bancorp and Emerald Financial
Corp. dated as of February 27, 1999.
We hereby confirm that the opinions that we are required to give as a
condition to the consummation of the merger of Emerald Financial Corp. into
Fifth Third Bancorp, as described in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus under the
heading "Federal Income Tax Consequences" constitute our opinions with respect
to certain material federal income tax consequences of the merger, subject to
the assumptions described therein and assuming that we receive the
representations referred to therein and in the affiliation agreement.
We hereby consent to the filing with the Securities and Exchange
Commission of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and to
the reference to this firm in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus constituting part
of the Registration Statement.
Very truly yours,
Graydon, Head & Ritchey
By: ____________________________________
<PAGE> 1
Exhibit 23.1
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT
We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement of
Fifth Third Bancorp on Form S-4 of our report dated January 15, 1999,
incorporated by reference in the Annual Report on Form 10-K, as amended, of
Fifth Third Bancorp for the year ended December 31, 1998, and to the reference
to us under the heading "Experts" in the Prospectus, which is part of this
Registration Statement.
/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP
Cincinnati, Ohio
April 27, 1999
<PAGE> 1
Exhibit 23.2
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
The Board of Directors
Emerald Financial Corp.:
We consent to 1) the incorporation by reference in the registration statement on
Form S-4 of Fifth Third Bancorp of our report dated February 5, 1999, with
respect to the consolidated statements of financial condition of Emerald
Financial Corp. and Subsidiaries as of December 31, 1998 and 1997, and the
related consolidated statements of income, shareholders' equity and cash flows
for the years then ended, which report appears in the Annual Report on Form 10-K
of Emerald Financial Corp. for the year ended December 31, 1998, 2) the use of
our report referred to above, included herein in Annex F; and 3) the reference
to our firm under the heading "Experts" in the registration statement.
/s/ KPMG LLP
Cleveland, Ohio
April 27, 1999
<PAGE> 1
Exhibit 23.3
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT
We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement of
Fifth Third Bancorp on Form S-4 of our report dated January 25, 1997, included
and incorporated by reference in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Emerald
Financial Corp. for the year ended December 31, 1998, and to the use of our
report dated January 25, 1997, appearing in the Prospectus, which is part of
this Registration Statement. We also consent to the reference to us under the
heading "Experts" in such Prospectus.
/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP
Cleveland, Ohio
April 27, 1999
<PAGE> 1
Exhibit 99.2
REVOCABLE PROXY [BLUE]
EMERALD FINANCIAL CORP.
1999 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
JULY 8, 1999
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The undersigned appoints Messrs. Mike Kalinich and William A.
Fraunfelder, Jr., and each of them, with full power of substitution, as proxies
of the undersigned, and hereby authorizes them to represent and to vote all the
shares of common stock, without par value, of Emerald Financial Corp. held by
the undersigned on May 14, 1999, at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of
Emerald Financial Corp. to be held at 10:30 a.m., Eastern Daylight Savings Time
on July 8, 1999 and any adjournment or postponement thereof, as follows:
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
1. A proposal to adopt the Affiliation Agreement dated as of FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN
February 27, 1999 by and between Fifth Third Bancorp and Emerald --- ------- -------
Financial Corp. and approve the merger of Emerald Financial [ ] [ ] [ ]
Corp. with and into Fifth Third Bancorp contemplated thereby
2. A proposal to elect the nominees named herein to serve as WITHHOLD
directors until the 2002 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, or FOR AUTHORITY
until their successors are elected and qualified --- ---------
[ ] [ ]
</TABLE>
NOMINEES:
George P. Bohnert Kenneth J. Piechowski John J. Plucinsky
To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee, print the
name(s) here:
3. In their discretion, the proxies are authorized to vote on such other
business as may properly come before the
meeting and any adjournment thereof
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE "FOR" PROPOSALS 1 AND 2.
YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT. FAILURE TO VOTE IN PERSON OR BY PROXY IS
EQUIVALENT TO A VOTE AGAINST THE MERGER PROPOSAL BEING SUBMITTED TO SHAREHOLDERS
FOR THEIR CONSIDERATION AT THE MEETING.
The undersigned acknowledges receipt prior to the execution of this
proxy of a Notice of 1999 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, a Prospectus/Proxy
Statement dated May 24, 1999 and the Annual Report for the year ended December
31, 1998 of Emerald Financial Corp., including financial statements and
independent auditor's opinion thereon.
WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED IN THE MANNER DIRECTED
HEREIN BY THE UNDERSIGNED SHAREHOLDER. IF NO DIRECTION IS GIVEN, THIS PROXY WILL
BE VOTED FOR PROPOSALS 1 AND 2.
(Continued and to be signed on reverse side)
<PAGE> 2
(Continued from other side)
Dated: ____________________, 1999 Please sign exactly as name appears
below. When shares are held by joint
tenants, both must sign. When signing as
attorney, executor, administrator,
trustee or guardian, please give full
title as such. If a corporation, please
sign in full corporate name by the
president or other authorized officer.
If a partnership, please sign in
partnership name by any authorized
person.
________________________________________
Signature
________________________________________
Signature, if held jointly
PLEASE COMPLETE, DATE, SIGN AND MAIL THIS PROXY PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED
POSTAGE-PAID ENVELOPE.
<PAGE> 1
Exhibit 99.3
PROXY [WHITE]
EMERALD FINANCIAL CORP.
1999 SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
JULY 8, 1999
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The undersigned appoints Messrs. Mike Kalinich and William A.
Fraunfelder, Jr., and each of them, with full power of substitution, as proxies
of the undersigned, and hereby authorizes them to represent and to vote all the
shares of common stock, without par value, of Emerald Financial Corp. held by
the undersigned on May 14, 1999, at the Special Meeting of Shareholders of
Emerald Financial Corp. to be held at 11:30 a.m., Eastern Daylight Savings Time,
on July 8, 1999 and any adjournment or postponement thereof, as follows:
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
1. A proposal to approve the acquisition by Fifth Third FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN
Bancorp of a controlling interest in Emerald Financial --- ------- -------
Corp. pursuant to and in accordance with Section 1701.831 [ ] [ ] [ ]
of the Ohio Revised Code
</TABLE>
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE "FOR" PROPOSAL 1.
YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT. WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED, THIS PROXY WILL BE
VOTED IN THE MANNER DIRECTED HEREIN BY THE UNDERSIGNED SHAREHOLDER. IF NO
DIRECTION IS GIVEN, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR PROPOSAL 1.
The undersigned acknowledges receipt prior to the execution of this
proxy of a Notice of 1999 Special Meeting of Shareholders, a Prospectus/Proxy
Statement dated May 24, 1999 and the Summary Annual Report for the year ended
December 31, 1998 of Emerald Financial Corp., including financial statements and
independent auditor's opinion thereon.
(Continued and to be signed on reverse side)
<PAGE> 2
(Continued from other side)
Dated: ____________________, 1999 Please sign exactly as name appears
below. When shares are held by joint
tenants, both must sign. When signing as
attorney, executor, administrator,
trustee or guardian, please give full
title as such. If a corporation, please
sign in full corporate name by the
president or other authorized officer.
If a partnership, please sign in
partnership name by any authorized
person.
________________________________________
Signature
________________________________________
Signature, if held jointly
PLEASE COMPLETE, DATE, SIGN AND MAIL THIS PROXY PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED
POSTAGE-PAID ENVELOPE.
<PAGE> 1
Exhibit 99.4
EMERALD FINANCIAL CORP.
14092 PEARL ROAD
STRONGSVILLE, OHIO 44136
MAY 24, 1999
Dear Shareholders:
You are cordially invited to attend the Annual Meeting of Shareholders
of Emerald Financial Corp. The meeting will be held on Thursday, July 8, 1999,
10:30 a.m., Eastern Daylight Savings Time, at Quality Catering Party Center,
9200 Pearl Road, Strongsville, Ohio.
At the Annual Meeting, holders of Emerald common stock will be asked to
adopt the Affiliation Agreement between Emerald and Fifth Third Bancorp and
approve the merger between Emerald and Fifth Third. Shareholders will also be
asked to elect three nominees to serve as directors of Emerald until the 2002
Annual Meeting or until the merger of Emerald with and into Fifth Third is
completed.
When the merger of Emerald into Fifth Third becomes effective,
each outstanding share of Emerald common stock (other than shares held by
shareholders who perfect dissenters' rights) will be exchanged for Fifth Third
common stock. Your Board of Directors has concluded that the merger of Emerald
with and into Fifth Third is in the best interests of Emerald and its
shareholders. We have received a fairness opinion from McDonald Investments
Inc., Emerald's financial advisor, that the exchange ratio is fair from a
financial point of view to the holders of Emerald common stock. Your Board of
Directors unanimously recommends that you vote FOR the merger proposal at the
Annual Meeting.
Emerald shareholders are entitled to exercise dissenters' rights with
respect to their common stock. The terms of the proposed merger and important
information relating to Emerald and Fifth Third Bancorp are explained in the
accompanying Prospectus/Proxy Statement. Please give this document your prompt
attention.
TO APPROVE THE PROPOSED MERGER, IT WILL BE NECESSARY TO OBTAIN THE
AFFIRMATIVE VOTE OF THE HOLDERS OF AT LEAST TWO THIRDS OF THE
OUTSTANDING SHARES OF EMERALD COMMON STOCK. AN ABSTENTION OR FAILURE TO
VOTE HAS THE SAME EFFECT AS A VOTE AGAINST THE MERGER.
We have enclosed a Blue proxy card for your use in voting at the Annual
Meeting. Please indicate your voting instructions and sign, date and mail the
Blue proxy card promptly in the postage-paid envelope provided. Regardless of
whether you plan to attend the Annual Meeting in person, it is important that
you return the enclosed Blue proxy card so that your shares will be voted at the
Annual Meeting.
<PAGE> 2
You are also cordially invited to attend a Special Meeting of
Shareholders of Emerald Financial Corp. The meeting will be held after the
Annual Meeting on Thursday, July 8, 1999, at 11:30 a.m., Eastern Daylight
Savings Time, at Quality Catering Party Center, 9200 Pearl Road, Strongsville,
Ohio.
The Special Meeting is being held because the merger with Fifth Third is
also considered a "control share acquisition" under Ohio law and such control
share acquisition must be approved by the shareholders of Emerald at a special
meeting. At the Special Meeting, holders of Emerald common stock will be asked
to approve the control share acquisition by Fifth Third of more than a majority
of the voting power of Emerald. Your Board of Directors unanimously recommends
that you vote FOR the control share acquisition proposal at the Special Meeting.
THE CONTROL SHARE ACQUISITION MUST BE APPROVED BY THE AFFIRMATIVE VOTE
OF A MAJORITY OF THE VOTING POWER OF EMERALD REPRESENTED AT THE SPECIAL
MEETING, EXCLUDING ANY SHARES OF EMERALD COMMON STOCK OWNED BY ANY
OFFICER OF EMERALD OR ANY DIRECTOR OF EMERALD WHO IS ALSO AN EMPLOYEE OF
EMERALD.
We have enclosed a White proxy card for your use in voting at the
Special Meeting. Please indicate your voting instructions and sign, date and
mail the White proxy card promptly in the postage-paid envelope provided.
Regardless of whether you plan to attend the Special Meeting in person, it is
important that you return the enclosed White proxy card so that your shares will
be voted at the Special Meeting.
Thank you for your attention to these important matters.
Sincerely,
Thomas P. Perciak
President and Chief Executive Officer
<PAGE> 1
Exhibit 99.5
EMERALD FINANCIAL CORP.
14092 PEARL ROAD
STRONGSVILLE, OHIO 44136
(440) 238-7311
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON JULY 8, 1999
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notice is hereby given that the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of
Emerald Financial Corp. will be held at Quality Catering Center, 9200 Pearl
Road, Strongsville, Ohio 44136 on Thursday, July 8, 1999 at 10:30 a.m., Eastern
Daylight Savings Time. A Prospectus/Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting is
enclosed. The purpose of the meeting is to consider and vote upon:
1. adoption of the February 27, 1999 Affiliation Agreement by and
between Emerald and Fifth Third Bancorp and approval of the
merger of Emerald with and into Fifth Third pursuant to
Section 1701.78 of the Ohio Revised Code;
2. election of three directors for the term expiring in the year
2002; and
3. such other business as may properly come before the Annual
Meeting or any adjournments or postponements thereof.
The Board of Directors is not aware of any other business to come before
the Annual Meeting. Any action may be taken on the foregoing proposals at the
meeting on the date specified above, or on any date or dates to which the
meeting may be adjourned or postponed. Shareholders at the close of business on
May 14, 1999 are entitled to receive notice of and to vote at the Annual
Meeting.
You are requested to complete and sign the enclosed Blue proxy card,
which is solicited by the Board of Directors, and to return the Blue proxy card
promptly in the postage-paid return envelope provided. Please sign your name on
the proxy exactly as indicated thereon. FAILURE TO VOTE IN PERSON OR BY PROXY IS
EQUIVALENT TO A VOTE AGAINST THE MERGER PROPOSAL BEING SUBMITTED TO SHAREHOLDERS
FOR THEIR CONSIDERATION AT THE MEETING.
<PAGE> 2
EMERALD'S BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE FOR ADOPTION OF
THE AFFILIATION AGREEMENT AND APPROVAL OF THE MERGER AND FOR ELECTION OF THE
NOMINEES IDENTIFIED IN THE PROSPECTUS/PROXY STATEMENT. PLEASE DO NOT SEND
YOUR EMERALD STOCK CERTIFICATES AT THIS TIME.
By Order of the Board of Directors
Paula M. Dewey
Secretary
Strongsville, Ohio
May 24, 1999
================================================================================
IMPORTANT: THE PROMPT RETURN OF PROXIES WILL SAVE EMERALD THE EXPENSE OF FURTHER
REQUESTS FOR PROXIES. A SELF-ADDRESSED, PREPAID ENVELOPE IS ENCLOSED FOR YOUR
CONVENIENCE.
================================================================================
<PAGE> 1
Exhibit 99.6
EMERALD FINANCIAL CORP.
14092 PEARL ROAD
STRONGSVILLE, OHIO 44136
(440) 238-7311
NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON JULY 8, 1999
Notice is hereby given that the Special Meeting of Shareholders of
Emerald Financial Corp. will be held following the Annual Shareholders' Meeting
at Quality Catering Center, 9200 Pearl Road, Strongsville, Ohio 44136 on
Thursday, July 8, 1999 at 11:30 a.m., Eastern Daylight Savings Time. A
Prospectus/Proxy Statement is enclosed. The purpose of the meeting is to
consider and vote upon:
1. approval of the acquisition by Fifth Third Bancorp of a
controlling interest in Emerald Financial Corp. pursuant to and
in accordance with Ohio Revised Code Section 1701.831;
2. such other business as may properly come before the Special
Meeting or any adjournments or postponements thereof.
The Board of Directors is not aware of any other business to come before
the Special Meeting. Any action may be taken on the foregoing proposals at the
meeting on the date specified above, or on any date or dates to which the
meeting may be adjourned or postponed. Shareholders at the close of business on
May 14, 1999 are entitled to receive notice of and to vote at the Special
Meeting.
You are requested to complete and sign the enclosed White proxy card,
which is solicited by the Board of Directors, and to return the White proxy card
promptly in the postage-paid return envelope provided. Please sign your name on
the proxy exactly as indicated thereon.
<PAGE> 2
EMERALD'S BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE FOR APPROVAL OF
THE ACQUISITION BY FIFTH THIRD OF A CONTROLLING INTEREST IN EMERALD UNDER OHIO
REVISED CODE SECTION 1701.831. PLEASE DO NOT SEND YOUR EMERALD STOCK
CERTIFICATES AT THIS TIME.
By Order of the Board of Directors
Paula M. Dewey
Secretary
Strongsville, Ohio
May 24, 1999
================================================================================
IMPORTANT: THE PROMPT RETURN OF PROXIES WILL SAVE EMERALD THE EXPENSE OF FURTHER
REQUESTS FOR PROXIES. A SELF-ADDRESSED, PREPAID ENVELOPE IS ENCLOSED FOR YOUR
CONVENIENCE.
================================================================================
2
